Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
