Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all 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 that his heart may discover itself.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous 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 strokes.
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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Laziness and destruction are brothers.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
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 that answers a matter before he hears it, 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 wounded spirit who can bear?
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
The heart of the prudent 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 that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
18 Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts 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 their 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
