Proverbs 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.

He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.

3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.

A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.

Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.

13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?

15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.

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

A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.

The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.

18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.

The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.

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

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.

Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.

23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.

The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.