Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends; he resists all sound advice. 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 finds no satisfaction in trying to understand, for he would rather express 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 an evil person comes, contempt also comes, along with dishonor and 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 a man says are as deep waters— a 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's not good to be partial towards an evil person, thereby depriving the righteous 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 A fool's words bring strife, and his mouth invites fighting. 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 unraveling, and his lips entrap himself. 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 like choice morsels as they descend to the innermost parts of the body. 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 regarding his work is also a brother to the master 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 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; a righteous person rushes to it and is lifted up above the danger. 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 a rich person is his fortified city; in his own imagination, it is like a high wall. 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 a man's downfall, his mind is arrogant, but humility precedes 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 answers before listening is both foolish 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 man's spirit can sustain him during his illness, but who can bear a crushed 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 discerning person gains knowledge, while the ears of wise people seek out 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 person's gift opens doors for him, bringing him access to important 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 put forth his case seems right, until someone else steps forward and cross-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 Casting dice settles a dispute, deciding between strong contenders. 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 unyielding than a fortified city, and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress. 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 The positive words that a man speaks fill his stomach; he will be satisfied with what his lips produce. 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 power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces. 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 what is good, and receives 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 The poor person pleads for mercy, but the wealthy man responds harshly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A man with many friends can still be ruined, but a true friend 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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