Proverbs 18
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
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 like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for 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 one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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 upright man running into it is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
