Proverbs 18

Modern English Version

18 He who separates himself seeks his own desire;
    he seeks and quarrels against all wisdom.

² A fool has no delight in understanding,
    but in expressing his own heart.

³ When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt,
    and with dishonor 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 favor the wicked,
    or to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

⁶ A fool’s lips enter into contention,
    and his mouth calls for flogging.

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 body.

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

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

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

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

¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it,
    it is folly and shame to him.

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

¹⁵ The heart of the prudent gets knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ A man’s gift makes room for him,
    and brings him before great men.

¹⁷ He who is first in his own cause seems just,
    but his neighbor comes and searches him.

¹⁸ The lot causes contentions to cease,
    and keeps the mighty ones apart.

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 stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
    and with the increase of his lips will he be filled.

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

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing,
    and obtains favor of the Lord.

²³ The poor man uses entreaties,
    but the rich man answers roughly.

²⁴ A man who has friends must show himself friendly,
    and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.