Proverbs 18

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

He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.

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

A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

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

When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, 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 deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man 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 calls for stripes.

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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.

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

He also 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 Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs 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 a high wall in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

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

He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to 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 a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

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

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

He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.

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

The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides 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 such 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 he shall 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 those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.

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

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.

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

A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.

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

He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.