Proverbs 18

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Ref He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.

2 Ref A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.

3 Ref When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.

4 Ref The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

5 Ref To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.

6 Ref A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.

7 Ref The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.

8 Ref The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

9 Ref He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.

10 Ref The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.

11 Ref The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.

12 Ref Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.

13 Ref To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.

14 Ref The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?

15 Ref The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.

16 Ref A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

17 Ref The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.

18 Ref The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.

19 Ref A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

20 Ref With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.

21 Ref Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

22 Ref Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.

23 Ref The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

24 Ref There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Ref For `an object of' desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

2 Ref A fool delighteth not in understanding, But -- in uncovering his heart.

3 Ref With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame -- reproach.

4 Ref Deep waters `are' the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom `is' a flowing brook.

5 Ref Acceptance of the face of the wicked `is' not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 Ref The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

7 Ref The mouth of a fool `is' ruin to him, And his lips `are' the snare of his soul.

8 Ref The words of a tale-bearer `are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down `to' the inner parts of the heart.

9 Ref He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he `is' to a destroyer.

10 Ref A tower of strength `is' the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

11 Ref The wealth of the rich `is' the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

12 Ref Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour `is' humility.

13 Ref Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.

14 Ref The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

15 Ref The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 Ref The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

17 Ref Righteous `is' the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

18 Ref The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

19 Ref A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

20 Ref From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, `From the' increase of his lips he is satisfied.

21 Ref Death and life `are' in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

22 Ref `Whoso' hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

23 Ref `With' supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

24 Ref A man with friends `is' to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!

World English Bible (WEB)

1 Ref An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.

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

3 Ref When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.

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

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

6 Ref A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.

7 Ref A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.

8 Ref The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.

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

10 Ref The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.

11 Ref The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.

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

13 Ref He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.

14 Ref A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit, who can bear?

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

16 Ref A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

17 Ref He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.

18 Ref The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.

19 Ref A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.

20 Ref A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

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

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

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

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

Chapter 18 of 31

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