Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
He who is separated seeks [his own] desire, He interferes with all wisdom.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
A fool does not delight in understanding, But in uncovering his heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
Contempt has also come with the coming of the wicked, And with shame—reproach.
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 flowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
Favoring of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calls for stripes.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, 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 tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
He also that is remiss in his work, He [is] a brother to a destroyer.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
The Name of YHWH [is] a tower of strength, The righteous runs into it, and is set on high.
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
The heart of man is high before destruction, And humility [is] before honor.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
Whoever is answering a matter before he hears, It is folly to him—and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
The spirit of a man sustains his sickness, And who bears a struck spirit?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent gets knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
The gift of a man makes room for him, And it leads him before the great.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
The first in his own cause [seems] righteous, [But] his neighbor comes and has searched him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
The lot causes contentions to cease, And it separates between the mighty.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
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 belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
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 those loving it eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
[Whoever] has found a wife has found good, And brings out goodwill from YHWH.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
The poor speaks [with] supplications, And the rich answers fierce things.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
A man with friends—to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
