Proverbs 18

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!

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.

American Standard-ASV1901 (ASV)

1 Ref He that separateth himself seeketh `his own' desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

2 Ref A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

3 Ref When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy `cometh' reproach.

4 Ref The words of a man's mouth are `as' deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is `as' a flowing brook.

5 Ref To respect the person of the wicked is not good, `Nor' to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

6 Ref A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

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

8 Ref The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

9 Ref He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

10 Ref The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 Ref The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

12 Ref Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor `goeth' humility.

13 Ref He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

14 Ref The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

15 Ref The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

17 Ref He that pleadeth his cause first `seemeth' just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

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

19 Ref A brother offended `is harder to be won' than a strong city; And `such' contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 Ref A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

21 Ref Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Ref Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

23 Ref The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

24 Ref He that maketh many friends `doeth it' to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Chapter 18 of 31

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