Proverbs 18

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

1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.

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

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.

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

3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.

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

4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

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

5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

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

6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.

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

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 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.

8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.

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

9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.

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

10 Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.

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

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

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

13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.

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

14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

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

15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

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

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

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

17 He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

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

19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

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

20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of 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.

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

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

22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

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

23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

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

24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.