Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are 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 strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He who 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. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, 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. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
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