Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
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 wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction 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 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a 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's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
