Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh 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 calleth 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 runneth 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 honour [is] humility.
13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto 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 getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth 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 [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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.
[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
