Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
The words of a man’s mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
