Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away 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 dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
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 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
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 just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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.
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, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
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 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
