Proverbs 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.	1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.
2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.	2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.
3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.	3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.
4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.	4 Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.
5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.	5 It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.
6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.	6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.
7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.	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 like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.	8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.	9 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to 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; he fancies it a high wall.	11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.	12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.
13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.	13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?	14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?
15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.	15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.
16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.	16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.
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 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.
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 worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.
20 From the fruit of his mouth a man has his fill; with the yield of his lips he sates himself.	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; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.	21 Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.
23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.	23 The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.
24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.	24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.