Proverbs 18

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

A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.

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

A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.

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

When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.

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

Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.

To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.

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

the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.

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

The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.

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

the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

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

Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.

10 The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.

A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.

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

The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.

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

Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.

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

He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.

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

The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?

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

the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.

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

The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.

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

Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.

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

The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.

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

A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.

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

Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.

21 Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.

Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.

22 He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.

Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.

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

Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.

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

A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.