Proverbs 18

1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.

When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.

19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.

23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.

24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.