Proverbs 18

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

1 與眾寡合的，獨自尋求心願， 並惱恨一切真智慧。

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

2 愚昧人不喜愛明哲， 只喜愛顯露心意。

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

3 惡人來，藐視隨來； 羞恥到，辱罵同到。

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

4 人口中的言語如同深水； 智慧的泉源好像湧流的河水。

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

5 瞻徇惡人的情面， 偏斷義人的案件，都為不善。

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

6 愚昧人張嘴啟爭端， 開口招鞭打。

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

7 愚昧人的口自取敗壞； 他的嘴是他生命的網羅。

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

8 傳舌人的言語如同美食， 深入人的心腹。

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

9 做工懈怠的， 與浪費人為弟兄。

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

10 耶和華的名是堅固臺； 義人奔入便得安穩。

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

11 富足人的財物是他的堅城， 在他心想，猶如高牆。

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

12 敗壞之先，人心驕傲； 尊榮以前，必有謙卑。

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

13 未曾聽完先回答的， 便是他的愚昧和羞辱。

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

14 人有疾病，心能忍耐； 心靈憂傷，誰能承當呢？

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

15 聰明人的心得知識； 智慧人的耳求知識。

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

16 人的禮物為他開路， 引他到高位的人面前。

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

17 先訴情由的，似乎有理； 但鄰舍來到，就察出實情。

18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

18 掣籤能止息爭競， 也能解散強勝的人。

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

19 弟兄結怨，勸他和好，比取堅固城還難； 這樣的爭競如同堅寨的門閂。

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

20 人口中所結的果子，必充滿肚腹； 他嘴所出的，必使他飽足。

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

21 生死在舌頭的權下， 喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。

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

22 得着賢妻的，是得着好處， 也是蒙了耶和華的恩惠。

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

23 貧窮人說哀求的話； 富足人用威嚇的話回答。

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

24 濫交朋友的，自取敗壞； 但有一朋友比弟兄更親密。