Proverbs 18

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

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

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

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

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

When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.

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 deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

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

It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.

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

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

7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his 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 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 delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth 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 strong tower: the just runneth to it, and 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 rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.

19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong 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 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill 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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue 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.

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 speak roughly.

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

24 A man amiable in 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.