Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all 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 that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous 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 strokes.
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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto 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 wounded 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 the prudent 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 that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts 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 their 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
