Proverbs 18

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

He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.

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

The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.

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, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.

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 deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.

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 be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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

The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.

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 destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.

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 talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.

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

Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.

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 to it, and is safe.

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 honor is humility.

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

He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to 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 wounded spirit who can bear?

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

The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

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

A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.

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

He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.

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

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

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; Yea, 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.

With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.

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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.

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.

He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.

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

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

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

A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.