Proverbs 18

1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.

He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.

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

3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.

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

4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.

The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.

To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.

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

7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, 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 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.

He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.

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

11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.

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

12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.

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

13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.

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

14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?

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

15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.

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

17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.

He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

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

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

19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.

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

20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.

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

21 Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.

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

22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.

The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.

He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.