Proverbs 18
1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken 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 acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
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 his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips 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 controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
