Proverbs 18
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
