Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
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 dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of 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 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
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 town, and as a towering 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 downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed 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 man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth 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 town; and quarrels [among brothers] 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 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth 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.
