Proverbs 18

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

For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.

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

A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.

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

When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.

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

The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.

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 wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.

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

A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

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

A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.

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.

The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.

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

He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.

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 a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.

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

The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.

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

He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.

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

The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?

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

A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.

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

A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.

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

He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.

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

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.

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

A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.

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

With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

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

Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite 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 findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.

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

The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.

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

A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.