Proverbs 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.	1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.	2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.	3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.	4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.	5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.	6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.	7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.	8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.	9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.	10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.	11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.	12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.	13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?	14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.	15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.	16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 The man who pleads his case first seems to be in the right; then his opponent comes and puts him to the test.	17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.	18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.	19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man has his fill; with the yield of his lips he sates himself.	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.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.	21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.	22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.	23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.	24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.