Proverbs 18
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
