Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice 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 bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
The name of YHWH is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a ] [good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of YHWH.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
