CHAPTER 18
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 or (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 wordsbe 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.
10 A full strong tower is the name of the Lord; a just man runneth to him, and [he] shall be enhanced. (The Lord’s nameis a full strong tower; the righteous run to it, and they shall be safe.)
11 The chattel of a rich man is the city of his strength; and as a strong wall compassing him. (A rich person’s possessions (is) the city of his strength; and (they be) like a strong wall surrounding him, (or so he thinketh).)
12 The heart of man is enhanced, before that it be broken; and it is made meek, before that it be glorified. (A person’s heart is raised upin pride, before that it is broken; and it is humbled, before that it is glorified.)
13 He that answereth before that he heareth, showeth himself to be a fool; and worthy of shame.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth (him in) his feebleness; but who may sustain a spirit light to be wroth? (A person’s spirit can sustain him in sickness; but who can endure with a broken spirit?)
15 The heart of a prudent man shall hold steadfastly knowing; and the ear of wise men seeketh teaching. (The heart of a person with understanding shall steadfastly hold onto knowledge; and the ears of the wise seek out teaching, or instruction.)
16 The gift of a man alargeth his way; and maketh space to him before princes. (Giving a gift openeth, (or smootheth), one’s way; and maketh an opening for thee among the leaders, (or among the powerful).)
17 A just man is the first accuser of himself; his friend cometh, and shall search him. (He who is the first to speak for a cause seemeth right; but then his opponent shall come, and shall search him out.)
18 Lot ceaseth against-sayings; and deemeth also among mighty men. (Casting lots ceaseth arguments; and also judgeth, or decideth, among the mighty.)
19 A brother that is helped of a brother, is as a steadfast city; and [the] dooms be as the bars of cities. (A brother helped by a brother, is like protection from the wall of a steadfast city; but arguments be like the bars of a city, preventing entry.)
20 A man’s womb shall be [ful] filled of the fruit of his mouth (or A man’s belly shall be fulfilled,or satisfied, by the fruit of his mouth); and the seeds of his lips shall fill him.
21 Death and life be in the works of [the] tongue; they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof, (or they who nurture it, shall eat its fruits).
22 He that findeth a good woman, findeth a good thing; and of the Lord he shall draw up mirth (or and he receiveth favour from the Lord). He that putteth away a good woman, putteth away a good thing; but he that holdeth (onto an) adulteress, is a fool and unwise.
23 A poor man shall speak with beseechings, (or with pleadings); and a rich man shall speak sternly.
24 A man friendly to fellowship shall more be a friend, than a brother. (A man given to fellowship with thee, can be more of a friend, than even thy own brother.)