Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
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 baseness, shame.
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, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow 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 calleth for blows.
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 destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
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 talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 runneth to it, and is safe.
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 city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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 city; Yea, their contentions 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
The poor useth entreaties; 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 of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
