Proverbs 18 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Proverbs 18
1He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
8The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
12Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20With the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18
1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Proverbs 18
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Proverbs 18 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 18:16
"A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great."
"A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men."
