Proverbs 18

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

A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

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

A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

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

When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

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

To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

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

A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

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 to 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 gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

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

One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

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

The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

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

He who answers before he hears, that 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?

A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

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

The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

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

He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

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

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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 more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars 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.

A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. 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 in the power of the tongue; those who love it 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.

Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.

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

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

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

A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.