Proverbs 18
1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
The name of YHWH is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of YHWH.
23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
