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).

18 El egoísta sólo busca su interés,
y se opone a todo buen consejo.

El necio no tiene deseos de aprender;
sólo le importa presumir de lo que sabe.

Con la maldad viene la vergüenza;
con el orgullo, la deshonra.

Las palabras del hombre son aguas profundas,
río que corre, pozo de sabiduría.

No está bien que los jueces favorezcan al culpable
y le nieguen sus derechos al inocente.

Con sus labios, el necio se mete en líos;
con sus palabras se busca buenos azotes.

Las palabras del necio son su propia ruina;
con sus labios se echa la soga al cuello.

Los chismes son como golosinas,
pero calan hasta lo más profundo.

Los perezosos y los destructores
¡hasta hermanos resultan!

10 El nombre del Señor es una torre poderosa
a la que acuden los justos en busca de protección.

11 El rico cree que sus riquezas
son una ciudad protegida por altos muros.

12 Tras el orgullo viene el fracaso;
tras la humildad, la prosperidad.

13 Es una necedad y una vergüenza
responder antes de escuchar.

14 Al enfermo lo levanta su ánimo,
pero al ánimo decaído, ¿quién podrá levantarlo?

15 Los sabios e inteligentes
adquieren los conocimientos que buscan.

16 Con un regalo se abren todas las puertas
y se llega hasta la gente importante.

17 El primero en defenderse parece tener la razón,
pero llega su contrario y lo desmiente.

18 El juicio divino pone fin a los pleitos
y separa a las partes en pugna.

19 Más se cierra el hermano ofendido
que una ciudad amurallada.
Los pleitos separan
como las rejas de un palacio.

20 Cada uno comerá hasta el cansancio
del fruto de sus palabras.

21 La vida y la muerte dependen de la lengua;
los que hablan mucho sufrirán las consecuencias.

22 Encontrar esposa es encontrar lo mejor:
es recibir una muestra del favor de Dios.

23 El pobre habla con ruegos;
el rico responde con altanería.

24 Algunas amistades se rompen fácilmente,
pero hay amigos más fieles que un hermano.

18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

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.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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)

The Name of the Lord Is a Strong Tower

18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all [a]wise judgment.

A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his (A)own heart.

When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.

(B)The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
(C)The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in (D)judgment.

A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
(E)A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his (F)soul.
(G)The words of a [b]talebearer are like [c]tasty trifles,
And they go down into the [d]inmost body.

He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

10 The name of the Lord is a strong (H)tower;
The righteous run to it and are [e]safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.

12 (I)Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 (J)A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18 Casting (K)lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 (L)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21 (M)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 (N)He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.

23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers (O)roughly.

24 A man who has friends [f]must himself be friendly,
(P)But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:1 sound wisdom
  2. Proverbs 18:8 gossip or slanderer
  3. Proverbs 18:8 A Jewish tradition wounds
  4. Proverbs 18:8 Lit. rooms of the belly
  5. Proverbs 18:10 secure, lit. set on high
  6. Proverbs 18:24 So with Gr. mss., Syr., Tg., Vg.; MT may come to ruin