Proverbs 18:18 (DRB)

Passage

The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.

Proverbs 18:17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

Proverbs 18:18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

Proverbs 18:19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

Proverbs 18:20 Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "suppresseth", "contentions", "determineth", "even", "between", and "mighty". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "suppresseth" and "contentions", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "The just is first accuser of himself..." into verse 19's "A brother that is helped by his...", so "suppresseth" and "contentions" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "suppresseth" and "contentions" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.