Proverbs 18:5

It is not good to take the person of a wicked man in doom, that thou bow away from the truth of doom. (It is not good to favour a wicked person, so that thou turn away from the truth in judgement.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

In Context

4Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a strand floating over is the well of wisdom. (Words from a person’s mouth (can be) like deep water or (can be) as deep as the water; and the well of wisdom (is) like a stream flowing over.)

6The lips of a fool meddle themselves with chidings; and his mouth stirreth strives. (A fool’s lips mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments; and his mouth stirreth up strife.)

Read all of Proverbs 18

Cross References

Exodus 23:3Also thou shalt not have mercy of a poor man in a cause, or doom. (And thou shalt not favour a poor person in his case, or in its judgement.)

Leviticus 19:15Thou shalt not do that, that is wicked, neither thou shalt deem unjustly; behold thou not the person of a poor man, neither honour thou the face of a mighty man; deem thou justly to thy neighbour (or simply judge thy neighbour justly).

Deuteronomy 16:19and bow they not into the other part for favour, either gift. Thou shalt not take a person, neither gifts, for why gifts blind the eyes of wise men, and change the words of just men, (or Thou shalt not show favour to anyone, nor take a bribe, or a gift, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise, and change the words of the just).

Job 13:7Whether God hath need to your leasing, that ye speak guileful things for him? (Hath God a need for your lies, so that ye speak these guileful things for him?)

Psalms 82:2How long deem ye (with) wickedness; and take the faces of sinners? ( And he saith, How long shall ye judge wickedly; and make exceptions for sinners?)

Proverbs 24:23Also these things that follow be to wise men. It is not good to know a person in doom. (And these things that follow also be for the wise. It is not good to know a person whom thou is judging.)

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:5

The Language of Folly. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed. 1. The well-spring of wisdom is as deep waters. An intelligent knowing man has in him a good treasure of useful things, which furnishes him with something to say upon all occasions that is pertinent and profitable. This is as deep waters, which make no noise, but never run dry. 2. The words of such a man's mouth are as a flowing brook. What… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 18:5