Proverbs 18
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
