Proverbs 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.

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

The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.

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

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.

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 wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.

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

It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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

The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.

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

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.

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 like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.

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

Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.

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

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to 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 conceit.

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

Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

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

He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.

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

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

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

The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

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

A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.

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

He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.

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

The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

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.

With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.

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

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

22 Whoever findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the LORD.

He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.

23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

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

A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.