Proverbs 18
1 Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound 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 only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh 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; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside 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 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 of the belly.
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 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 imagination.
12 Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, 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 broken 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 pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
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 [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 shall he 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 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 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.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
