Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
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 who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
