Proverbs 18

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

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

1For <FI>an object of<Fi> desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

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

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

2A fool delighteth not in understanding, But--in uncovering his heart.

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

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

3With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame--reproach.

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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

4Deep waters <FI>are<Fi> the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom <FI>is<Fi> a flowing brook.

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

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

5Acceptance of the face of the wicked <FI>is<Fi> not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

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

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

6The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

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

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

7The mouth of a fool <FI>is<Fi> ruin to him, And his lips <FI>are<Fi> the snare of 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 a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

8The words of a tale-bearer <FI>are<Fi> as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down <FI>to<Fi> the inner parts of the heart.

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

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

9He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he <FI>is<Fi> to a destroyer.

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 righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

10A tower of strength <FI>is<Fi> the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

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

11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

11The wealth of the rich <FI>is<Fi> the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

12Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

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

12Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour <FI>is<Fi> humility.

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

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

13Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and 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 sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

14The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

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

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

15The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

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

16The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

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

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

17Righteous <FI>is<Fi> the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

18The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

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

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

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

19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

19A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

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

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

20From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, <FI>From the<Fi> increase of his lips he is satisfied.

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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

21Death and life <FI>are<Fi> in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

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.

22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

22<FI> Whoso<Fi> hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

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

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

23<FI> With<Fi> supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

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

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

24A man with friends <FI>is<Fi> to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!