Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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Brenton Septuagint Translation
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English Standard Version
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1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach. 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 senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by 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 an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises them ; but dishonour and reproach come upon him. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth. 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 accept the person of the ungodly, nor is it holy to pervert justice 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 The lips of a fool bring him into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for 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 ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to 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 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger. 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 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself. 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 of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted. 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 man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow. 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 ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble. 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 Whoso answers a word before he hears a cause , it is folly and reproach to him. 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 wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man? 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 sensible man purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding. 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 gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes. 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 righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved. 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 silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers. 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 as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well -founded palace. 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 fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips. 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 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule 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 that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly. 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 plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 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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