Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense.
2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. 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 and so deprive the innocent of justice. It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.
6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, 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. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are 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 strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
11 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.
14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
18 Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes 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 offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are 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. An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from 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. 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 their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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