Proverbs 18
1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour reproach.
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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of 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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
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 runs into it, and is safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions 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.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
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 that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
