Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself. He opposes all sound reasoning. 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 find joy in understanding but only in expressing his own opinion. 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 wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and insult comes along with disgrace. 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 person's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream. 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 be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice. 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 By talking, a fool gets into an argument, and his mouth invites a beating. 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 ruin. His lips are a trap 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 gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being. 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 Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal. 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. A righteous person runs to 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 A rich person's wealth is his strong city and 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 wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction a person's heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor. 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 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? 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 mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek 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 gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people. 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 to state his case seems right [until] his neighbor comes to cross-examine 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 Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles [issues] between powerful people. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 An offended brother is more [resistant]than a strong city, and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower. 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 person's speaking ability provides for his stomach. His talking provides him a living. 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 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words. 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 something good and has obtained favor from 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 A poor person is timid when begging, but a rich person is blunt when replying. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family. 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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