Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
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, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing 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 be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
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 for his life.
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 like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 runneth to 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 conceit.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Before destruction the heart of a 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 answereth a matter before he hath heard it, 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 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 intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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; Yea, 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth 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 of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
