Proverbs 18
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 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.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 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.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
