Proverbs 18

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

He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

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

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

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

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

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 deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

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

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

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

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

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

A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to 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 a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

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

The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

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

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.

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

He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

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

The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

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

The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

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

He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

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

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

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 offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

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.

A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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

Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

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

He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

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

A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.