Proverbs 18
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
