18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
18:1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
18:2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

18:3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
18:3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

18:5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
18:5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.

18:7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

18:8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
18:8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
18:9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

18:11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
18:12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
18:16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

18:17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18:17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18:18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
18:18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

18:19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
18:19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
18:20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

18:22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.

18:23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
18:23 The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly.

18:24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.