Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of 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 the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 The name of Yhwh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
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 who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of Yhwh.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
