Proverbs 18, side by side

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

¹Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

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

²A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

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

³When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

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

⁴The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

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

⁵It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

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

⁶A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

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

⁷A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

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

⁸The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

⁹He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

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

¹⁰The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

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

¹¹The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

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

¹²Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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

¹³He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

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

¹⁴The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

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

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

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

¹⁶A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

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

¹⁷He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

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

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

¹⁹A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

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

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

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

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

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

²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

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

²³The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

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

²⁴A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.