Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
