Proverbs 18

1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

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

2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.

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

3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.

When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

The words of a man’s mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.

5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.

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

10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high 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 high, And before honour [is] humility.

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

13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

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

19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.

20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase 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, And those loving it eat its fruit.

Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

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

23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!

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