Proverbs 18

1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.

5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of mishpat ·justice·.

It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.

6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.

10 Adonai’s name is a strong tower: the upright run to him, and are safe.

The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before kavod ·weighty glory· is humility.

The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.

13 He who gives answer before he sh'ma ·hears obeys·, that is folly and shame to him.

Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.

14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?

15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.

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

A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.

17 He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.

18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.

19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.

20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· it will eat its fruit.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Adonai.

He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.

23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.

24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a 'ahav ·affectionate lover, friend· who sticks closer than a brother.

A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.