Proverbs 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

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

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 overthrow 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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 a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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.

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

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

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 righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

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

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

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

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

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 man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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

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

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

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

13Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and 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.

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