Proverbs 18
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
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 deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to 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 gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
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 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes 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 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is 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 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
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 man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
