Proverbs 18

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.	1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.	2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.
3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sine, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.	3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.
4 Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.	4 Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.	5 It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.
6 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.	6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.	7 The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.
8 The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.	8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
9 He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.	9 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.	10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.
11 The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.	11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.
12 Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.	12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.	13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.
14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?	14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?
15 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.	15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.
16 A man's gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.	16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.	17 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.
19 A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.	19 A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.
20 Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.	20 From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach fil ed, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.	21 Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.
22 He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.	23 The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.
24 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.	24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.