Proverbs 18
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1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.5It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.7The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.9One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.10The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.13To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?14The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.18Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.20From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.22He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 17
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