Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
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 overthrow the righteous 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 strokes.
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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
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 righteous 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
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 honour is humility.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto 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 wounded 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 the prudent 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 that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts 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 their 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
