Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour reproach.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
