Proverbs 18:19
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
Free Bible Version
In The King James Version
In Context
18Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
20Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
Cross References
Genesis 27:41From then on Esau hated Jacob because of his father's blessing. Esau said to himself, “Soon the time will come when I'll mourn my father's death. Then I'll kill my brother Jacob!”
Genesis 37:3Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him when he was already old. He made a colorful robe with long sleeves for Joseph.
Genesis 37:18But they saw him coming way off in the distance, and before he got to them, they made plans to kill him.
2 Samuel 13:28Absalom gave orders to his men, saying, “Pay attention! When Amnon is feeling happy from drinking wine and I tell you, ‘Attack Amnon!’ then kill him. Don't be afraid. I myself am giving you this order. Be strong and be brave.”
1 Kings 12:16When all the Israelites saw that the king wasn't listening to them, they told the king: “What share do we have in David, and what part do we have in the son of Jesse? Go home, Israel! You're on your own, house of David!” So all the Israelites went home.
Proverbs 6:19a false witness that speaks lies, those who caused arguments in families.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:19
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. Note, 1. Contentions commonly happen among the mighty, that are jealous for their honour and right and stand upon the punctilios of both, that are confident of their being able to make their part good and therefore will hardly condescend to the necessary terms of an accommodation; whereas those that are poor are forced to be peaceable, and sit down losers. 2. Even the contentions of the mighty may be ended by lot if they cannot otherwise be… Read the whole commentary →