Proverbs 18
1 Desire he seeks [one who] separates himself on all sound wisdom he bursts out.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Not he delights a fool in understanding that except in revealing itself heart his.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 When comes a wicked [person] it comes also contempt and with shame reproach.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 [are] waters Deep [the] words of [the] mouth of a person a wadi flowing a fountain of wisdom.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 To lift up [the] face of a wicked [person] not [is] good to turn aside a righteous [person] in judgment.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 [the] lips of A fool they go in strife and mouth his for blows it calls.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 [the] mouth of A fool [is] ruin of him and lips his [are] [the] snare of life his.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 [the] words of A slanderer [are] like delicacies and they they go down [the] chambers of [the] belly.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Also [one who] shows himself idle in work his [is] a brother he of a master of destruction.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 [is] a tower of Strength [the] name of Yahweh in it he runs a righteous [person] and he is set on high.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 [the] wealth of A rich [person] [is] [the] town of strength his and like a wall high in own imagination his.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction it is haughty [the] heart of a person and [is] before honor humility.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 [one who] brings back A word before he listens [is] folly it of him and ignominy.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 [the] spirit of A person it will endure sickness his and a spirit stricken who? will he bear it.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 A heart discerning it acquires knowledge and [the] ear of wise [people] it seeks knowledge.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 [the] gift of A person it makes space for him and before great [people] it leads him.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 [is] righteous The first in case his (and he will come *Q(K)*) neighbor his and he will examine him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Contentions it puts an end to the lot and between mighty [people] it separates.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother transgressed [is] more than a town of strength (and contentions *Q(K)*) [are] like [the] bar of a fortress.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 From [the] fruit of [the] mouth of a person it is satisfied belly his [the] produce of lips his he is 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] hand of [the] tongue and [those who] love it he will eat fruit its.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He finds a wife he finds a good thing and he obtained pleasure from Yahweh.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Supplications he speaks a poor [person] and a rich [person] he answers strong [words].
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A person of companions [is] to be broken and there [is one who] loves cleaving more than a brother.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
