Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath 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, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside 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 fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 a snare to 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 gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
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 Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And 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 the great it leadeth him.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 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 those loving it eat its fruit.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
