Proverbs 18
1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
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 only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes 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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 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 tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
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 into it and are 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, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 discerning gets knowledge. 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 who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer 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 be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
