Proverbs 18

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

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.

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

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

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

When the wicked cometh, [then] 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, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.

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 accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow 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 destruction, 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 talebearer [are] as wounds, 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.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

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 safe.

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 an high wall in his own conceit.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

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

He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame 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 wounded 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 is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

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

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

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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

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 love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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

[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

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

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

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

A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.