Proverbs 18

1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.

When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.

10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.

Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?

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

The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.

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

A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.

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

Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.

19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.

An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.

23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.

24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.