Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach 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 men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
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 person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his 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 are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and 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 rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong 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.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill 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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak 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 in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
