Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
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, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
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 a snare for his life.
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 like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 Laziness and destruction are brothers.
Moreover, he 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 to 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 conceit.
12 Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard 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 intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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; Yea, 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
The poor useth entreaties; 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 of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
