Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
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 in laying open what is in his heart.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Laziness and destruction are brothers.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
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 town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
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 readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
17 The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth 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 town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
20 Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 will eat its fruit.
22 If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; 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's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
