Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
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 baseness, shame.
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 deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing 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 be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
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 a snare for his life.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
Moreover, he 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 to 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 a 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 a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to 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 intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
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 first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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; Yea, 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.
With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
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.]
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
