Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin 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 the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
