Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom. Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes. A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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