Proverbs 18

1He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.

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

2A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

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

3The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.

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

4Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

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

5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

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

6The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.

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

7The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

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

8The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

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.

9He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.

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

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

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

11The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

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 a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

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

13He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.

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

14The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, 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?

15A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

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

16A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.

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

17The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

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 suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

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

19A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

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

20Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits 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.

22He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.

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

23The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

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

24A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.

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