Proverbs 18
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
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 in laying open what is in his heart.
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 dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
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 town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
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 readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth 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 town; and quarrels [among brothers] 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 a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 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.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
