Proverbs 18

1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.

He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest against all sound wisdom.

2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may lay itself bare.

3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.

It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.

A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

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.

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

9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.

Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.

11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.

12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honour goeth humility.

13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.

He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and confusion unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?

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

15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.

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

16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.

He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.

The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.

19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.

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

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.

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

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.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.

The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.

24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.

There are friends that one hath to his own hurt; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.