18:1 He who is estranged seeks pretexts to break out against all sound judgment.
18:1 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.

18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.

18:3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.
18:3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonor comes disgrace.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.
18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

18:5 It is not good to be partial to a wicked man, or to deprive a righteous man of justice.
18:5 It is not right to be partial to the guilty, or to subvert the innocent in judgment.

18:6 A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
18:6 A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging.

18:7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
18:7 The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.

18:8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
18:8 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

18:9 He who is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
18:9 One who is slack in work is close kin to a vandal.

18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

18:11 A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall protecting him.
18:11 The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.

18:12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
18:12 Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor.

18:13 If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
18:13 If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.

18:14 A man's spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit who can bear?
18:14 The human spirit will endure sickness; but a broken spirit--who can bear?

18:15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
18:15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

18:16 A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
18:16 A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.

18:17 He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
18:17 The one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines.

18:18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
18:18 Casting the lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.

18:19 A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
18:19 An ally offended is stronger than a city; such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

18:20 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
18:20 From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is satisfied; the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.

18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.
18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.

18:23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
18:23 The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.

18:24 There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
18:24 Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one's nearest kin.