Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
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 person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin 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 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 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
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, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
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 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
