Proverbs 18
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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 as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of 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 talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto 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 will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [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.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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.
[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
