Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 Laziness and destruction are brothers.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
