Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
He who is separated seeks [his own] desire, He interferes with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool does not delight in understanding, But in uncovering his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Contempt has also come with the coming of the wicked, And with shame—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 fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
Favoring of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calls for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, 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 tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
He also that is remiss in his work, He [is] a brother to a destroyer.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The Name of YHWH [is] a tower of strength, The righteous runs into it, and is set on high.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
The heart of man is high before destruction, And humility [is] before honor.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
Whoever is answering a matter before he hears, It is folly to him—and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man sustains his sickness, And who bears a struck spirit?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent 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.
The gift of a man makes room for him, And it leads him before the great.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The first in his own cause [seems] righteous, [But] his neighbor comes and has searched him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, And it separates 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 transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is 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 loving it eat its fruit.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
[Whoever] has found a wife has found good, And brings out goodwill from YHWH.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor speaks [with] supplications, And the rich answers fierce things.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
A man with friends—to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
