Proverbs 18

leta'avah yevaqqesh nifrad bekhol-tushiyyah yitgalla

Those who isolate themselves pursue their desires; They disdain all competence.

lo-yakhpots kesil bitvunah ki im-behitgallot libbo

Fools do not desire understanding, But only to air their thoughts.

bevo-rasha ba gam-buz ve'im-qalon kherpah

Along with the wicked comes derision, And with rogues, contempt.

mayim amuqqim divre fi-ish nakhal novea meqor khokhmah

The words a person speaks are deep waters, A flowing stream, a fountain of wisdom.

se'et pene-rasha lo-tov lehattot tsaddiq bammishpat

It is not right to be partial to the guilty And subvert the innocent in judgment.

sifte khesil yavo'u veriv ufiv lemahalumot yiqra

The words of fools lead to strife; Their speech invites blows.

pi-khesil mekhittah-lo usefatayw moqesh nafsho

The fools’ speech is their ruin; Their words are a trap for them.

divre nirgan kemitlahamim vehem yaredu khadre-vaten

The words of a grumbler are bruising; They penetrate one’s inmost parts.

gam mitrappeh vimlakhto akh hu leva'al mashkhit

One who is slack at work Is akin to a vandal.

migdal-oz shem Adonai bo-yaruts tsaddiq venisgav

GOD’s name is a tower of strength To which the righteous run and are safe.

hon ashir qiryat uzzo ukhekhomah nisgavah bemaskito

The wealth of the rich is their fortress; In their fancy it is a protective wall.

lifne-shever yigbah lev-ish velifne khavod anavah

Before ruin a person’s heart is proud; Humility goes before honor.

meshiv davar beterem yishma ivvelet hi-lo ukhelimmah

To answer before listening— This is foolish and disgraceful.

ruakh-ish yekhalkel makhalehu veruakh nekhe'ah mi yissa'ennah

A person’s spirit can endure an illness; But low spirits—who can bear them?

lev navon yiqneh-dda'at ve'ozen khakhamim tevaqqesh-da'at

The mind of an intelligent person acquires knowledge; The ears of the wise seek out knowledge.

mattan adam yarkhiv lo velifne gedolim yankhennu

A gift eases a person’s way And gives access to the great.

tsaddiq harishon berivo (yv) [uva-]re'ehu vakhaqaro

The first to speak in court seems right Till the other party cross-examines.

midyanim yashbit haggoral uven atsumim yafrid

The lot puts an end to strife And separates those locked in dispute.

akh nifsha miqqiryat-oz (vmdvnym) [umidyanim] kivriakh armon

A sibling offended is more formidable than a stronghold; Such strife is like the bars of a fortress.

mipperi fi-ish tisba bitno tevu'at sefatayw yisba

A man’s belly is filled by the fruit of his mouth; He will be filled by the produce of his lips.

mavet vekhayyim beyad-lashon ve'ohaveha yokhal piryah

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

matsa isha matsa tov vayyafeq ratson me-Adonai

He who finds a wife has found happiness And has won GOD’s favor.

takhanunim yedabber-rash ve'ashir ya'aneh azzot

The pauper speaks in terms of mercy; The rich person’s answer is harsh.

ish re'im lehitro'ea veyesh ohev daveq me'akh

There are companions to keep one company, And there is a friend more devoted than a sibling.