Proverbs 18

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.	1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.	2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.	3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.
4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.	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 overthrow the righteous in judgment.	5 It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.	6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare 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 a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.	8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.	9 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.	10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.	11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.	12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.	13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?	14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.	15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.	16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.	17 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.	19 A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.
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.	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: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.	21 Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.	23 The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.	24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.