Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
