Proverbiorum 18
1 Occasiones quærit qui vult recedere ab amico: omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 Non recipit stultus verba prudentiæ, nisi ea dixeris quæ versantur in corde ejus.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 Impius, cum in profundum venerit peccatorum, contemnit; sed sequitur eum ignominia et opprobrium.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.
4 Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 Accipere personam impii non est bonum, ut declines a veritate judicii.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 Labia stulti miscent se rixis, et os ejus jurgia provocat.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Os stulti contritio ejus, et labia ipsius ruina animæ ejus.
A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
8 Verba bilinguis quasi simplicia, et ipsa perveniunt usque ad interiora ventris. Pigrum dejicit timor; animæ autem effeminatorum esurient.
The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Qui mollis et dissolutus est in opere suo frater est sua opera dissipantis.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 Turris fortissima nomen Domini; ad ipsum currit justus, et exaltabitur.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
11 Substantia divitis urbs roboris ejus, et quasi murus validus circumdans eum.
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Antequam conteratur, exaltatur cor hominis, et antequam glorificetur, humiliatur.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Qui prius respondet quam audiat, stultum se esse demonstrat, et confusione dignum.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 Spiritus viri sustentat imbecillitatem suam; spiritum vero ad irascendum facilem quis poterit sustinere?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 Cor prudens possidebit scientiam, et auris sapientium quærit doctrinam.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 Donum hominis dilatat viam ejus, et ante principes spatium ei facit.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 Contradictiones comprimit sors, et inter potentes quoque dijudicat.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 De fructu oris viri replebitur venter ejus, et genimina labiorum ipsius saturabunt eum.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.
Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
22 Qui invenit mulierem bonam invenit bonum, et hauriet jucunditatem a Domino. Qui expellit mulierem bonam expellit bonum; qui autem tenet adulteram stultus est et impius.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
23 Cum obsecrationibus loquetur pauper, et dives effabitur rigide.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 Vir amabilis ad societatem magis amicus erit quam frater.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
