Proverbs 18
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 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.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 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.
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.]
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
