Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
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.]
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
