Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and 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 fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
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 person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
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 ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
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 delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person 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 wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken 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 acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is 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.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; 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 controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
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 receives favor from Yahweh.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
