Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
swipe to see more →
BLB
Berean Literal Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
+Add
1 The one separating himself seeks his own desire, against all sound wisdom he breaks out. 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 does not delight in understanding, but rather in uncovering his heart. 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 With the coming of the wicked also comes contempt, and with shame, 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 the mouth of a man are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is 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 To lift up the face to a wicked one is not good—to overthrow a righteous one in the 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 The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth calls for blows. 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 The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to 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 whisperer are like things to be gulped, and they go down into the chambers 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 The one being slack in his work, he is also a brother to a lord of destruction. 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 A tower of strength is the name of YHWH—to it a righteous one runs and is set on high. 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 wealth of the rich one is the city of his strength, and like a wall set high in his imagination. 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 the face of destruction, the heart of a man is exalted, 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 The one returning a word before he hears, it is folly to him and disgrace. 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 him in his sickness, and a stricken spirit—who can bear it? 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 an understanding one acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise ones 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 The gift of a man makes room for him, and it leads him before the face of great ones. 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 The first in his dispute seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines 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 makes quarrels cease, and it separates between mighty ones. 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 transgressed is as a city of strength, and quarrels are like the gate bar of a citadel. 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 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, his belly is satisfied; with the produce of his lips he is satisfied. 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 hand of the tongue, and those loving it will eat its fruit. 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 He who has found a wife has found good, and he obtains favor from YHWH. 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 With supplications the poor one speaks, and a rich one answers fiercely. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man of companions may come to ruin, and there is a lover adhering more 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.
Previous chapter
Top of Page
Top of Page