Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of 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 whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] 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 a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
