Proverbs 18

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.	1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.	2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.
3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.	3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.
4 Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.	4 The words from a man's mouth are deep waters, but the source of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.	5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.
6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.	6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7 The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.	7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.
8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.	8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
9 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.	9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.	10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.
11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.	11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.
12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.	12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.	13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.
14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?	14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.	15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.	16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.
17 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.	17 The man who pleads his case first seems to be in the right; then his opponent comes and puts him to the test.
18 The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.	19 A brother is a better defense than a strong city, and a friend is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach fil ed, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.	20 From the fruit of his mouth a man has his fill; with the yield of his lips he sates himself.
21 Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.	21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.
23 The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.	23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.	24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.