Proverbs 18

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Whoever lives alone fol ows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.	1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.	2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.	3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.	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 show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.	5 It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.	6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
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 mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.	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 Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.	9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.	10 The name of the Lord is very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wal , as the rich supposes.	11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.	12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.	13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?	14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 The heart of the intel igent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.	15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 A present will open al doors and win access to the great.	16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.	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 decides between men of power.	18 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.	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 the mouth is a stomach fil ed, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.	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 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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.	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 language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.	23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.	24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.