18 El egoísta busca su propio bien;
    contra todo sano juicio inicia un pleito.

Al necio no le complace la inteligencia;
    tan solo hace alarde de su propia opinión.

Con la maldad viene el desprecio
    y con la vergüenza llega la deshonra.

Las palabras del hombre son aguas profundas,
    arroyo de aguas vivas, fuente de sabiduría.

No está bien favorecer al[a] malvado
    y dejar de lado los derechos del justo.

Los labios del necio son causa de contienda;
    su boca incita a la riña.

La boca del necio es su perdición;
    sus labios son para él una trampa mortal.

Los chismes son deliciosos manjares;
    penetran hasta lo más íntimo del ser.

El que es negligente en su trabajo
    confraterniza con el que es destructivo.

10 Torre fuerte es el nombre del Señor;
    a ella corren los justos y se ponen a salvo.

11 La riqueza del rico es su baluarte
    y este cree que sus muros son inalcanzables.

12 Tras el orgullo viene la destrucción;
    y tras la humildad, el honor.

13 Es necio y vergonzoso
    responder antes de escuchar.

14 En la enfermedad, el ánimo levanta al enfermo;
    ¿pero quién podrá levantar el ánimo al abatido?

15 El corazón prudente adquiere conocimiento;
    los oídos de los sabios procuran hallarlo.

16 Con regalos se abren todas las puertas
    y se llega a la presencia de gente importante.

17 El primero en presentar su caso parece inocente,
    hasta que llega la otra parte y lo refuta.

18 El echar suertes pone fin a los litigios
    y decide entre los poderosos.

19 Más resiste el hermano ofendido que una ciudad amurallada;
    los litigios son como cerrojos de una fortaleza.

20 Cada uno se llena con lo que dice
    y se sacia con lo que habla.

21 En la lengua hay poder de vida y muerte;
    quienes la aman comerán de su fruto.

22 Quien halla esposa encuentra el bien
    y recibe el favor del Señor.

23 El pobre habla en tono suplicante;
    el rico responde con aspereza.

24 Hay amigos[b] que llevan a la ruina
    y hay amigos más fieles que un hermano.

Footnotes

  1. 18:5 favorecer al. Lit. levantar el rostro del.
  2. 18:24 Hay amigos (LXX, Siríaca y Targum); Hombre de amigos (TM).

Words Kill, Words Give Life

18 Loners who care only for themselves
    spit on the common good.

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
    all they do is run off at the mouth.

When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind;
    contempt for life is contemptible.

Many words rush along like rivers in flood,
    but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs.

It’s not right to go easy on the guilty,
    or come down hard on the innocent.

The words of a fool start fights;
    do him a favor and gag him.

Fools are undone by their big mouths;
    their souls are crushed by their words.

Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
    do you really want junk like that in your belly?

Slack habits and sloppy work
    are as bad as vandalism.

10 God’s name is a place of protection—
    good people can run there and be safe.

11 The rich think their wealth protects them;
    they imagine themselves safe behind it.

12 Pride first, then the crash,
    but humility is precursor to honor.

13 Answering before listening
    is both stupid and rude.

14 A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
    but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

15 Wise men and women are always learning,
    always listening for fresh insights.

16 A gift gets attention;
    it buys the attention of eminent people.

17 The first speech in a court case is always convincing—
    until the cross-examination starts!

18 You may have to draw straws
    when faced with a tough decision.

19 Do a favor and win a friend forever;
    nothing can untie that bond.

20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
    good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

21 Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

22 Find a good spouse, you find a good life—
    and even more: the favor of God!

23 The poor speak in soft supplications;
    the rich bark out answers.

24 Friends come and friends go,
    but a true friend sticks by you like family.

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
    and with shame comes reproach.

The words of the mouth are deep waters,(B)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked(C)
    and so deprive the innocent of justice.(D)

The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(E)

The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(F) to their very lives.(G)

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.(H)

One who is slack in his work
    is brother to one who destroys.(I)

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;(J)
    the righteous run to it and are safe.(K)

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;(L)
    they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
    but humility comes before honor.(M)

13 To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.(N)

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(O)

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(P)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift(Q) opens the way
    and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes(R)
    and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged(S) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(T)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(U)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(V)

22 He who finds a wife finds what is good(W)
    and receives favor from the Lord.(X)

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

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(Y)