Proverbs 18 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 18 ▼
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1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys. Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.
10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him. If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.
19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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