Proverbs 18
1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
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 deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
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 delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; 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 controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
