Proverbs 18:2-16

²A fool receiveth not the words of prudence; no but thou say those things, that be turned (over) in his heart.

³A wicked man, when he cometh into (the) depth of sins, despiseth wholesome lore, (or discipline), and commandment; but scandal and shame followeth him.

⁴Deep 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.)

⁵It 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.)

⁶The 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.)

⁷The mouth of a fool is the defouling of him; and his lips be the falling of his soul.

⁸The 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.)

⁹He that is nesh, and dissolute, either unsteadfast, in his work, is the brother of a man destroying his works.

¹⁰A 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.)

¹¹The 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).)

¹²The 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.)

¹³He that answereth before that he heareth, showeth himself to be a fool; and worthy of shame.

¹⁴The 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?)

¹⁵The 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.)

¹⁶The 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).)