Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare 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 a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
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 offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
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.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall 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 those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
