Proverbs 18

1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.

A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.

2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.

3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.

When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.

4 Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgement.

6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.

The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.

7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.

9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.

A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.

11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.

12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.

13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.

Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.

14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?

A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?

15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.

16 A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.

A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him amongst princes.

17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.

20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

22 He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.

He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]

23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

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