Proverbs 18
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
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 baseness, shame.
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, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing 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 be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
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 a snare for his life.
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 like sweet morsels; For they go down to 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.
Moreover, he 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 to 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 a 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 a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame 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 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 intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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; Yea, 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall 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 that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
