Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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GENEVA
Geneva Bible of 1587
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome. 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 foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered. 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 commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch. 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 mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer. 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 cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement. 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 fooles lips come with strife, & his mouth calleth for stripes. 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 fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule. 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 wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels 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 slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of 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 Lorde is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted. 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 mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall 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 destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines. 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 answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto 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 susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare 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 A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning. 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 mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth 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 owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of 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 causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie. 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 winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace. 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 With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, 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 & life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shal eate the fruite 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 He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour 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 poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then 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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