Proverbs 18

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

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

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

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

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

When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and 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 deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

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 person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.

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

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

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 he ensnares himself with his lips.

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

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

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

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 Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into 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 wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.

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

An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is 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.

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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.

Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will 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 who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.

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

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

24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly 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.