Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and 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 stream.
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 person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
A fool's lips bring him conflict 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 he ensnares himself with his lips.
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 delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into 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 wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Before his downfall a person'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.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing 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 may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
Casting the lot settles disputes 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 be won than a strong city, and quarreling is 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 one's stomach is filled; with the harvest 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 controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue 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 receives favor from Yahweh.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
