Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. 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 who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
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 Yahweh.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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 of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
