Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and 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 the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
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 a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase 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] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
