Proverbs 18:1-9

1 He that will go away from a friend, seeketh occasions, that is, feigneth causes, (or looketh for reasons); in all time he shall be despisable.
2 A fool receiveth not the words of prudence; no but thou say those things, that be turned (over) in his heart.
3 A wicked man, when he cometh into (the) depth of sins, despiseth wholesome lore, (or discipline,) and commandment; but scandal and shame followeth him.
4 Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a strand floating over is the well of wisdom. (Words from a person's mouth can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; and the well of wisdom is like a stream flowing over.)
5 It is not good to take the person of a wicked man in doom, that thou bow away from the truth of doom. (It is not good to favour a wicked person, so that thou turn away from the truth in judgement.)
6 The lips of a fool meddle themselves with chidings; and his mouth stirreth strives. (A fool's lips mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments; and his mouth stirreth up strife.)
7 The mouth of a fool is [the] defouling of him; and his lips be the falling of his soul.
8 The words of a double-tongued man be as simple; and they come unto the inner things of the womb. Dread casteth down a slow man; forsooth the souls of men turned into women's condition shall have hunger. (A gossip's words be tasty; and they go down into the innermost parts. Fear casteth down the lazy; and those who be timid shall have hunger.)
9 He that is nesh, and dissolute, either unsteadfast, in his work, is the brother of a man destroying his works.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.