Proverbs 18

1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.

A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.

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

3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.

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

4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.

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

5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, 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 dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.

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

7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, 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 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

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

9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.

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

10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.

Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.

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

12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.

He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?

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

15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.

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

16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.

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

17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.

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

18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.

A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product 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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.

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

23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.

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

24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.

A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.