Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
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 in revealing his own opinion.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like 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 be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 a snare to 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 gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
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 run into it and are 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, like an unscalable 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 proud, but 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, that is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 discerning gets knowledge. 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 cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is 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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
