Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 The name of YHWH is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of YHWH.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
