Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and 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 fountain of wisdom is a flowing 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 be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
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 gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person 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 wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is 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.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
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 receives favor from Yahweh.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
