Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 18, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 18 New English Translation

   1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.
   2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind.
   3 When a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach.
   4 The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
   5 It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice.
   6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
   7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.
   8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person's innermost being.
   9 The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
   10 The name of the LORD is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
   11 The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination.
   12 Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, but humility comes before honor.
   13 The one who gives an answer before he listens - that is his folly and his shame.
   14 A person's spirit sustains him through sickness - but who can bear a crushed spirit?
   15 The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.
   16 A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.
   17 The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
   18 A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents.
   19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
   20 From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied.
   21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
   22 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift from the LORD.
   23 A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly.
   24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

King James Version

   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.