Proverbs 18
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1An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.1One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.
2Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.2A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
3When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.3When a wicked person comes, contempt also comes, and along with dishonor, derision.
4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.4The words of a person's mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.5It is not good to show partiality to the guilty, denying an innocent person justice.
6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.6A fool's lips lead to strife, and his mouth provokes a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.7A fool's mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.
8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.8A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
9One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.9The one who is lazy in his work is brother to a vandal.
10The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
11The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.11The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.12Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame.13The one who gives an answer before he listens--this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
14The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?14A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.
16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.16A person's gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great.
17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
20From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.20From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.
21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.22A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.23The poor person pleads, but the rich one answers roughly.
24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.24One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 17
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