Proverbs 18:1

AMP: He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

ASV: He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.

BSB: He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;he rebels against all sound judgment.

DARBY: He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.

DRA: He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.

KJV: Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Proverbs 18:2

AMP: A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

ASV: A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

BSB: A fool does not delight in understanding,but only in airing his opinions.

DARBY: A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

DRA: A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.

KJV: A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Proverbs 18:3

AMP: When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

ASV: When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.

BSB: With a wicked man comes contempt as well,and shame is accompanied by disgrace.

DARBY: When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

DRA: The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sine, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.

KJV: When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Proverbs 18:4

AMP: The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

ASV: The words of a man`s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.

BSB: The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

DARBY: The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

DRA: Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

KJV: The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Proverbs 18:5

AMP: To show respect to the wicked person is not good,Nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.

ASV: To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

BSB: Showing partiality to the wicked is not good,nor is depriving the innocent of justice.

DARBY: It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.

DRA: It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.

KJV: It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Proverbs 18:6

AMP: A fool’s lips bring contention and strife,And his mouth invites a beating.

ASV: A fool`s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.

BSB: A fool’s lips bring him strife,and his mouth invites a beating.

DARBY: A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

DRA: The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.

KJV: A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 18:7

AMP: A fool’s mouth is his ruin,And his lips are the snare of his soul.

ASV: A fool`s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

BSB: A fool’s mouth is his ruin,and his lips are a snare to his soul.

DARBY: A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

DRA: The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

KJV: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 18:8

AMP: The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

ASV: The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

BSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morselsthat go down into the inmost being.

DARBY: The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

DRA: The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.

KJV: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 18:9

AMP: He who is careless in his workIs a brother to him who destroys.

ASV: He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

BSB: Whoever is slothful in his workis brother to him who destroys.

DARBY: He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

DRA: He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.

KJV: He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 18:10

AMP: The name of the Lord is a strong tower;The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

ASV: The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

BSB: The name of the LORD is a strong tower;the righteous run to it and are safe.

DARBY: The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

DRA: The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.

KJV: The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:11

AMP: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.

ASV: The rich man`s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.

BSB: A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;it is like a high wall in his imagination.

DARBY: The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.

DRA: The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.

KJV: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Proverbs 18:12

AMP: Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,But humility comes before honor.

ASV: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.

BSB: Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud,but humility comes before honor.

DARBY: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.

DRA: Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

KJV: Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 18:13

AMP: He who answers before he hears [the facts]—It is folly and shame to him. [John 7:51]

ASV: He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.

BSB: He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

DARBY: He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

DRA: He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.

KJV: He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:14

AMP: The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?

ASV: The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?

BSB: The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,but who can survive a broken spirit?

DARBY: The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

DRA: The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?

KJV: The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 18:15

AMP: The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.

ASV: The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

BSB: The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

DARBY: The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

DRA: A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.

KJV: The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Proverbs 18:16

AMP: A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for himAnd brings him before great men. [Gen 32:20; 1 Sam 25:27; Prov 17:8; 21:14]

ASV: A man`s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

BSB: A man’s gift opens doors for him,and brings him before great men.

DARBY: A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

DRA: A man's gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.

KJV: A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 18:17

AMP: The first one to plead his case seems right,Until another comes and cross-examines him.

ASV: He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

BSB: The first to state his case seems rightuntil another comes and cross-examines him.

DARBY: He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

DRA: The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

KJV: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Proverbs 18:18

AMP: To cast lots puts an end to quarrelsAnd decides between powerful contenders.

ASV: The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

BSB: Casting the lot ends quarrelsand separates strong opponents.

DARBY: The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

DRA: The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

KJV: The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Proverbs 18:19

AMP: A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

ASV: A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.

BSB: An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

DARBY: A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

DRA: A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

KJV: A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 18:20

AMP: A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.

ASV: A man`s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

BSB: From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled;with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

DARBY: A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

DRA: Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

KJV: A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Proverbs 18:21

AMP: Death and life are in the power of the tongue,And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. [Matt 12:37]

ASV: Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

BSB: Life and death are in the power of the tongue,and those who love it will eat its fruit.

DARBY: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

DRA: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

KJV: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 18:22

AMP: He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thingAnd obtains favor and approval from the Lord. [Prov 19:14; 31:10]

ASV: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

BSB: He who finds a wife finds a good thingand obtains favor from the LORD.

DARBY: Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

DRA: He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.

KJV: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Proverbs 18:23

AMP: The poor man pleads,But the rich man answers roughly.

ASV: The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

BSB: The poor man pleads for mercy,but the rich man answers harshly.

DARBY: He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

DRA: The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

KJV: The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

Proverbs 18:24

AMP: The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

ASV: He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

BSB: A man of many companions may come to ruin,but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

DARBY: A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

DRA: A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.

KJV: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18

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