18:1 He that separateth himself seeketh (his own) desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
18:1 He who separates himself seeks [his own] desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
18:2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

18:3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy (cometh) reproach.
18:3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor [comes] reproach.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth are (as) deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is (as) a flowing brook.
18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

18:5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, (Nor) to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
18:5 To show partiality to the wicked is not good, [Nor] to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.

18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
18:6 A fool's lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.

18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

18:8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

18:9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
18:9 He also who is slack in his work Is brother to him who destroys.

18:10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.

18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
18:11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.

18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor (goeth) humility.
18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility [goes] before honor.

18:13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
18:13 He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him.

18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
18:14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But a broken spirit who can bear?

18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

18:17 He that pleadeth his cause first (seemeth) just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18:17 The first to plead his case [seems] just, [Until] another comes and examines him.

18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
18:18 The lot puts an end to contentions, And decides between the mighty.

18:19 A brother offended (is harder to be won) than a strong city; And (such) contentions are like the bars of a castle.
18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

18:20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
18:20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied [with] the product of his lips.

18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

18:23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
18:23 The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

18:24 He that maketh many friends (doeth it) to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
18:24 A man of [many] friends [comes] to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.