Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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NRSV Catholic Edition
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English Standard Version
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1 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have 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 expressing personal 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 comes also; and with dishonor comes 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 the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing 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 right to be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment. 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 bring strife, and a fool’s 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 mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves. 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 whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner 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 One who is slack in work is close kin 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; the righteous run into 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 fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their 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 destruction one’s heart is haughty, but humility goes 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 If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and 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 The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken 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 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise 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 gift opens doors; it gives access to the great. 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 one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines. 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 the lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful 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 ally offended is stronger than a city; such quarreling is 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 From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction. 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 will eat its fruits. 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 wife finds a good thing, and obtains 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 use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin. 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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