Proverbs 18:17-23 in English

¹⁷ He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

²³ The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

¹⁸ A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

¹⁹ A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace.

²⁰ A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

²² He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God.

^22a He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

¹⁸ A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

¹⁹ A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace.

²⁰ A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

²² He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

¹⁷ He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ The first person to present his case in court seems right, but when ◄someone else/his opponent► begins to ask him questions, it may become clear that what he said was not true.

¹⁸ If two influential/important people are arguing, someone can settle the matter by ◄casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right►.

¹⁹ If you help relatives, they will protect you like SIM a strong wall protects a city, but if you quarrel with them, that will separate you from them like bars on a city gate separate the city from those who want to enter it MET.

²⁰ People are happy when they hear others say MTY something that is good, like they are happy when they eat food that is good MET.

²¹ What you say can cause others to be killed or it can cause them to continue to live; so those who like to talk a lot must ◄accept the consequences/realize that what they say can cause much harm►.

²² If you marry a good woman, that is like finding a wonderful thing; it shows that Yahweh is pleased with you.

²³ It is necessary for poor people to speak politely when they request rich people to do something for them, but rich people reply very impolitely when poor people speak to them.

¹⁷ A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

¹⁸ A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

¹⁹ A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace.

²⁰ A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

²² He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.

¹⁸ The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.

¹⁹ A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

²⁰ With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.

²² Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.

²³ The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

²⁰ A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.

²³ He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.

¹⁸ The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

²⁰ Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

²² 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.

²³ The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.

¹⁷ The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.

¹⁸ Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.

¹⁹ A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.

²⁰ Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.

²¹ What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.

²² If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.

²³ The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.

¹⁷ He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.

²⁰ With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.

²² He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.

²³ The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

¹⁸ The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

²² Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favour of the Lord.

²³ The poor useth intreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.

¹⁸ The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong town; and quarrels among brothers are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.

²³ The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, But when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.

¹⁸ A silent man quells strifes, And determines between great powers.

¹⁹ A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; And is as strong as a well-founded palace.

²⁰ A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; And he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.

²¹ Life and death are in the power of the tongue; And they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

²² He that has found a good wife has found favors, And has received gladness from God.

^22a He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, And he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.

¹⁷ He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.

²² He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.

²³ The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Adonai .

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.

¹⁸ Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.

¹⁹ An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.

²³ A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

¹⁹ A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.

²² Whoever findeth a wife findeth a good thing , and obtaineth favor from the LORD.

²³ The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.

¹⁸ The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

¹⁹ A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

²⁰ A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.

²³ The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

¹⁷ A just or rightwise man is the first accuser of himself; his friend cometh, and shall search him.

¹⁸ Lot ceaseth against-sayings; and deemeth also among mighty men.

¹⁹ A brother that is helped of a brother, is as a steadfast city; and the dooms be as the bars of cities.

²⁰ A man’s womb shall be ful filled of 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.

²² He that findeth a good woman, findeth a good thing; and of the Lord he shall draw up mirth. He that putteth away a good woman, putteth away a good thing; but he that holdeth an adulteress, is a fool and unwise.

²³ A poor man shall speak with beseechings; and a rich man shall speak sternly.

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.

¹⁷ Righteous is the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

¹⁸ The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

¹⁹ A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

²⁰ From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, From the increase of his lips he is satisfied.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

²² Whoso hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

²³ With supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.