Proverbs 18

1He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

1He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.

2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

2A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.

3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.

3When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.

4The words of a man’s mouth areasdeep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

4The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Norto turn aside the righteous in judgment.

5To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.

6A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

6A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.

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

7The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.

8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

8The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

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

9He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.

10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.

11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

11The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.

12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honorgoethhumility.

12Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.

13He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

13To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.

14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

14The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?

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

15The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.

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

16A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

17He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

17The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.

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

18The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.

19A brother offendedis harder to be won than a strong city; Andsuchcontentions are like the bars of a castle.

19A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

20A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

20With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.

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

21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

22Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.

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

23The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

24He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

24There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.