< Proverbs 18 >
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, 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 tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart 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 answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
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 estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he 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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.