Mishle 18

1A man who separates himself seeks his own ta'avah (desire); he defies all tushiyyah (wisdom, sound judgment).

2A kesil (fool) hath no delight in tevunah (understanding), but only in airing out his lev (mind, opinions).

3When the rashah cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonor, cherpah (reproach, disgrace).

4The devarim of a manʼs mouth are deep mayim; the makor chochmah is a flowing stream.

5It is not tov to show partiality to the rashah, to subvert the tzaddik in mishpat.

6The sfatayim (lips) of a kesil enter into contention, and his peh (mouth) inviteth blows.

7The peh (mouth) of a kesil is his undoing, and his sfatayim (lips) are the mokesh (snare) of his nefesh.

8The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, talebearer, slanderer) are like mitlachamim (delicious tidbits), and they go down into the innermost parts of the beten (belly).

9He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is ba'al mashchit (master of destruction).

10The Shem of Hashem is a strong migdal (tower), the tzaddik runneth into it, and is safe.

11The oisherʼs wealth is his strong city, and is a high chomah in his own conceit.

12Before shever (destruction) the lev ish is haughty, and before kavod is anavah (humility).

13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and kelimmah (reproach, shame) unto him.

14The ruach ish will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed ruach who can bear?

15The lev of the prudent acquireth da'as, and the ozen of the chachamim seeketh da'as.

16The mattan adam (gift of a man) openeth the way for him, and bringeth him before gedolim.

17He that is harishon (the first) to make his case seemeth tzaddik, but his re'a cometh and doth cross-examine him.

18The goral (lot) causeth contentions to cease, and keepeth the mighty apart.

19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their contentious quarrelings are like the bars of an armon (citadel).

20An ishʼs beten shall be filled with the fruit of his peh (mouth), and with the produce of his sfatayim (lips) shall he be satisfied.

21Mavet and chayyim are in the power of the lashon, and they that love it shall eat the p'ri (fruit) thereof.

22He who findeth an isha (wife) findeth tov, and obtaineth ratzon (favor) from Hashem.

23The poor useth entreaties, but the oisher answereth roughly.

24An ish of many companions may come to ruin, but there is an ohev (friend) that sticketh closer than a brother.

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Mishle 18: TOJB2011

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THE ORTHODOX JEWISH BIBLE

FOURTH EDITION © Artists For Israel Intl Inc., 2002-2011, 2021.

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Proverbs 18

1A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.

He opposes all sound reasoning.

2A fool does not find joy in understanding

but only in expressing his own opinion.

3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,

and insult comes along with disgrace.

4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters.

The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

5It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person,

thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

6By talking, a fool gets into an argument,

and his mouth invites a beating.

7A fool’s mouth is his ruin.

His lips are a trap to his soul.

8The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,

and they go down into a person’s innermost being.

How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness

9Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.

10The name of the Lord is a strong tower.

A righteous person runs to it and is safe.

11A rich person’s wealth is his strong city

and is like a high wall in his imagination.

12Before destruction a person’s heart is arrogant,

but humility comes before honor.

13Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.

14A person’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can bear a broken spirit?

15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.

The ears of wise people seek knowledge.

16A gift opens doors for the one who gives it

and brings him into the presence of great people.

17The first to state his case seems right

⌞until⌟ his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.

18Flipping a coin ends quarrels

and settles ⌞issues⌟ between powerful people.

19An offended brother is more ⌞resistant⌟ than a strong city,

and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.

20A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach.

His talking provides him a living.

21The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.

22Whoever finds a wife finds something good

and has obtained favor from the Lord.

23A poor person is timid when begging,

but a rich person is blunt when replying.

24Friends can destroy one another,#18:24 Or “A person has friends as companions.”

but a loving friend can stick closer than family.

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