Proverbs, 18

1. Whoever lives alone follows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.

1. He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.

2. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.

2. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

3. When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.

3. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.

4. Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.

4. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

5. It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.

5. It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a righteous man of justice.

6. The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.

6. A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.

7. The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.

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

8. The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.

8. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9. Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.

9. He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

10. The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.

10. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

11. The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wall, as the rich supposes.

11. A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall protecting him.

12. The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.

12. Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.

13. To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.

13. If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

14. Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?

14. A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who can bear?

15. The heart of the intelligent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.

15. An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16. A present will open all doors and win access to the great.

16. A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

17. The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.

17. He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

18. The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.

18. The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

19. A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.

19. A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

20. From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach filled, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.

20. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

21. Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.

21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

22. He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.

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

23. The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.

23. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

24. There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.

24. There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.