Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
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 flowing stream.
5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away 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 dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
A fool's lips bring him conflict 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 he ensnares himself with his lips.
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 delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Before his downfall a person'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.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing 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 may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
Casting the lot settles disputes 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 be won than a strong city, and quarreling is 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 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, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue 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 receives favor from Yahweh.
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, 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.
