Proverbs 18

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.	1 In estrangement one seeks pretexts: with all persistence he picks a quarrel.
2 The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.	2 The fool takes no delight in understanding, but rather in displaying what he thinks.
3 The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.	3 With wickedness comes contempt, and with disgrace comes scorn.
4 Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.	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 accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.	5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.
6 The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.	6 The fool's lips lead him into strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7 The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.	7 The fool's mouth is his ruin; his lips are a snare to his life.
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.	8 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
9 Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.	9 The man who is slack in his work is own brother to the man who is destructive.
10 The name of the Lord is very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.	10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the just man runs to it and is safe.
11 The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.	11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; he fancies it a high wall.
12 The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.	12 Before his downfall a man's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honors.
13 Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.	13 He who answers before he hears-- his is the folly and the shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?	14 A man's spirit sustains him in infirmity-- but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.	15 The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.	16 A man's gift clears the way for him, and gains him access to great men.
17 The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate 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 Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.	18 The lot puts an end to disputes, and is decisive in a controversy between the mighty.
19 A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.	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 a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.	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 power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.	21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who make it a friend shall eat its fruit.
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.	22 He who finds a wife finds happiness; it is a favor he receives from the LORD.
23 The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.	23 The poor man implores, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.	24 Some friends bring ruin on us, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother.