Proverbs 18
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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 strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
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 is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
