Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
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 ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, 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.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
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.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
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 they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
