Proverbs 18
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
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 wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of 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.
The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
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 a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love 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 hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
