Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 WHEN a man is inactive he imagines lust and mocks at good instruction. 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 has no delight in wisdom, because his mind devises folly. 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 reaches the depths of evil, then folly comes upon him, iniquity, disgrace, and shame. 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 man's mouth are like deep waters; and the fountain of wisdom is like 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 It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, nor to pervert justice against the righteous. 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 lips enter into contention, and his mouth brings him to death, 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 destruction, and his lips are the snare of 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 slothful man bring evil to him, and they cause him to go down into the inner chambers of Sheol. 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 slothful in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer. 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; the righteous and the mighty run into it. 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 man's wealth is his strong city; and his dwelling place is fenced by a strong 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 destruction the heart of a man is haughty; 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 He who gives answer before he hears is a fool and a reviler. 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 endure his suffering; but a distressing spirit, who can bear? 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 the prudent acquires wisdom; and the ear of the wise listens to 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 man's gifts make room for him and bring 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 A man is deemed innocent in his lawsuit; but when his neighbor comes he 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 lots causes contentions to cease and decides between mighty men. 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 helped by a brother is like a city helped by its fortifications; and his helpers 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 wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruits of his mouth; and with the fruits 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 and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it shall eat the fruits 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 who finds a good wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. And he who puts out a good wife, puts out good from his house. 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 speak humbly; but the rich talk of great things. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 There are friends who are merely friends; and there is a friend who 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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