Proverbs 18

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

An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

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

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

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

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

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 man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

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

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

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

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

7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his 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 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 words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.

9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth 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 strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

The name of YHWH is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

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

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

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

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

He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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 more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

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'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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

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.

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

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

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

24 A man amiable in 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.