Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest against all sound wisdom.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may lay itself bare.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare 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 a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honour is humility.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and confusion unto him.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
There are friends that one hath to his own hurt; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
