Proverbs 20:18
New International Version
Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

New Living Translation
Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.

English Standard Version
Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

Berean Standard Bible
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

King James Bible
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

New King James Version
Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war.

New American Standard Bible
Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

NASB 1995
Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

NASB 1977
Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thoughts are established by counsel, So make war by guidance.

Amplified Bible
Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance.

Christian Standard Bible
Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Finalize plans with counsel, and wage war with sound guidance.

American Standard Version
Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.

Contemporary English Version
Be sure you have sound advice before making plans or starting a war.

English Revised Version
Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Plans are confirmed by getting advice, and with guidance one wages war.

Good News Translation
Get good advice and you will succeed; don't go charging into battle without a plan.

International Standard Version
Make plans by seeking advice; make war by obtaining guidance.

Majority Standard Bible
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

NET Bible
Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.

New Heart English Bible
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

World English Bible
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You establish purposes by counsel, "" And with plans you make war.

Young's Literal Translation
Purposes by counsel thou dost establish, And with plans make thou war.

Smith's Literal Translation
The purpose shall be prepared by counsel, and with guidance make war.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.

New American Bible
Plans made with advice succeed; with wise direction wage your war.

New Revised Standard Version
Plans are established by taking advice; wage war by following wise guidance.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A good purpose is established by counsel; but by provocation war is made.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Counsel is acquired in the mind and in provocation war is made.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Every purpose is established by counsel; And with good advice carry on war.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel. 18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. 19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.…

Cross References
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Luke 14:31-32
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? ...

1 Kings 12:6-15
Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. / They replied, “If you will be a servant to these people and serve them this day, and if you will respond by speaking kind words to them, they will be your servants forever.” / But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders; instead, he consulted the young men who had grown up with him and served him. ...

2 Samuel 16:20-23
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?” / Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. ...

Acts 15:6-29
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. / After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. / And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. ...

Exodus 18:19-24
Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. / Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. / Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ...

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. ...

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: “Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever.” / The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.


Treasury of Scripture

Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

purpose

Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

Proverbs 24:6
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

and

Proverbs 25:8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Judges 1:1,2
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? …

Judges 9:29
And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.

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Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














Set plans
The phrase "set plans" in Proverbs 20:18 emphasizes the importance of preparation and intentionality in decision-making. The Hebrew root word for "plans" is "maḥăšāḇâ," which implies thoughts, intentions, or designs. In a biblical context, this suggests that our actions should be deliberate and well-thought-out, aligning with God's wisdom. Historically, the Israelites valued wise counsel and strategic planning, as seen in the accounts of leaders like Nehemiah, who meticulously planned the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This phrase encourages believers to seek divine guidance and wisdom in their endeavors, ensuring that their plans are not only practical but also spiritually sound.

by consultation
The term "consultation" underscores the biblical principle of seeking advice and counsel from others. The Hebrew word "sôḏ" can mean counsel, secret, or intimate conversation. This reflects the cultural and historical practice of gathering wisdom from trusted advisors or elders. In the conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the value of community and the church body in decision-making processes. Proverbs consistently advocates for the wisdom found in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14), reminding believers that God often speaks through the insights and experiences of others.

wage war
The phrase "wage war" is a metaphorical expression that can be understood both literally and spiritually. The Hebrew word "milḥāmâ" refers to battle or warfare. In ancient Israel, warfare was a reality, and strategic planning was crucial for victory. Spiritually, this phrase can be interpreted as engaging in the battles of life, whether they be personal struggles, spiritual warfare, or moral challenges. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this emphasizes the need for spiritual readiness and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to face life's battles. It serves as a reminder that with God's guidance and the counsel of wise believers, one can navigate the complexities of life with courage and faith.

Verse 18. - Every purpose is established by counsel (comp. Proverbs 15:22, where see note). The Talmud says, "Even the most prudent of men needs friends' counsels;" and none but the most conceited would deem himself superior to advice, or would fail to allow that, as the Vulgate puts it, cogitationes consillis roborantur. This is true in all relations of life, in great and small matters alike, in peace, and, as our moralist adds, in war. With good advice make war; Vulgate, Gubernaculis tractanda sunt bella; Revised Version, By wise guidance make thou war. The word here used is takebuloth, for which see note, Proverbs 1:5. It is a maritime metaphor, rightly retained by the Vulgate, and might be rendered "pilotings," "steerings." War is a necessary evil, but it must be undertaken prudently and with a due consideration of circumstances, means, etc. Our Lord illustrates the necessity of due circumspection in following him by the case of a threatened conflict between two contending kings (Luke 14:31, etc.). Grotius quotes the gnome -

Γνῶμαι πλέον κρατοῦσιν η} σθένος χερῶν.

"Titan strength of hands availeth counsel more." To which we may add -

Βουλῆς γὰρ ὀρθῆς οὐδὲν ἀσφαλέστερον. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Set
תִכּ֑וֹן (ṯik·kō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

plans
מַ֭חֲשָׁבוֹת (ma·ḥă·šā·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

by consultation,
בְּעֵצָ֣ה (bə·‘ê·ṣāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

and wage
עֲשֵׂ֣ה (‘ă·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

war
מִלְחָמָֽה׃ (mil·ḥā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

under sound guidance.
וּ֝בְתַחְבֻּל֗וֹת (ū·ḇə·ṯaḥ·bu·lō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8458: Steerage, guidance, a plan


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:18 Plans are established by advice (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 20:17
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