Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a ] [good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
