< Proverbs 18 >
1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
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 mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
6 A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
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 runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
14 A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
20 A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.