Proverbs 18

1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 ¶ The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 ¶ He also 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.

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

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

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

14 ¶ 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

22 ¶ [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

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

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

1 He that separateth himself seeketh after that which he lusteth after, and setteth himself against all that is good.

2 a fool does not delight in his mind, but in what is in his heart.

3 Where the wicked goeth, there cometh contempt and reproach with scorn.

4 The words in one mouth are as deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is a full stream.

5 It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, to bow down the righteous in judgment.

6 The lips of the fool bring forth strife, and his mouth crieth for blows.

7 The mouth of a fool doeth harm unto himself, and his lips do wrong unto his own soul.

8 the words of the slanderer are blows and go through one's heart.

9 He that is slack in his work is a brother to him that doeth his own work.

10 The name of the LORD is a stronghold: the righteous walketh therein, and is protected.

11 The rich man's goods are unto him a strong city, and as a high wall round about him.

12 If a man perish, his heart is proud first: and before he is honoured, he suffereth first.

13 He that answereth before he heareth is foolish and ashamed.

14 He that hath a merry heart knoweth how to bear himself in his affliction: but if courage lie, who can bear it? 15; An understanding heart knows how to keep itself sensible, and the wise hear gladly that one acts sensibly.

16 the gift of man makes room for him and brings him before the great lords.

17 The righteous is sure of his cause beforehand; and when his neighbour cometh, he findeth him so.

18 The lot setteth the strife, and divideth between the mighty.

19 A brother that is wounded is stronger than a strong city; and strife is stronger than the bars of the palace.

20 A man shall be recompensed according to that which his mouth hath spoken, and shall be satisfied with the fruit of his lips.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: he that loveth it shall eat of the fruit thereof.

22 He that findeth a wife findeth good, and getteth favour of the LORD.

23 a poor man speaks with supplication; a rich man answers proudly.

24 A faithful friend loveth more, and standeth stronger than a brother.