Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
