Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
swipe to see more →
NET
New English Translation
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
+Add
1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. 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 takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind. 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 a wicked person arrives, contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach. 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, 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 terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man 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 The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging. 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 The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life. 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; they go down into the 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 The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys. 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 like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high. 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 like a strong city, and 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 wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.
12 Before destruction the heart of a person is proud, 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 The one who gives an answer before he listens--that is his folly and his shame. 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 sustains him through sickness--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 discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks 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 makes room for him, and leads him before 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 state his case seems right, until his opponent begins 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 A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel. 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 From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied, with the product of his lips is he satisfied. 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 its use will eat its fruit. 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 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable, and receives a pleasurable gift 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 makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but 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.
Previous chapter
Top of Page
Top of Page