Proverbs 18

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.	1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.	2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.	3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.	4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
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 character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.	6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.	7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.	8 The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.	9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
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 very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.	11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.	12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.	13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?	14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.	15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.	16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
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 just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.	18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.	19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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 a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.	22 He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.	23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.	24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.