Proverbs 18 Comparison: Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version
Proverbs 18
1He that wole go a wei fro a frend, sekith occasiouns; in al tyme he schal be dispisable.
2A fool resseyueth not the wordis of prudence; `no but thou seie tho thingis, that ben turned in his herte.
3A wickid man, whanne he cometh in to depthe of synnes, dispisith; but sclaundre and schenschipe sueth hym.
4Deep watir is the wordis of the mouth of a man; and a stronde fletinge ouer is the welle of wisdom.
5It is not good to take the persoone of a wickid man in doom, that thou bowe awei fro the treuthe of dom.
6The lippis of a fool medlen hem silf with chidyngis; and his mouth excitith stryues.
7The mouth of a fool is defoulyng of hym; and hise lippis ben the fallynge of his soule.
8The wordis of a double tungid man ben as symple; and tho comen `til to the ynnere thingis of the wombe. Drede castith doun a slowe man; forsothe the soulis of men turned in to wymmens condicioun schulen haue hungur.
9He that is neisch, and vnstidfast in his werk, is the brother of a man distriynge hise werkis.
10A strongeste tour is the name of the Lord; a iust man renneth to hym, and schal be enhaunsid.
11The catel of a riche man is the citee of his strengthe; and as a stronge wal cumpassinge hym.
12The herte of man is enhaunsid, bifor that it be brokun; and it is maad meke, bifore that it be glorified.
13He that answerith bifore that he herith, shewith hym silf to be a fool; and worthi of schenschipe.
14The spirit of a man susteyneth his feblenesse; but who may susteyne a spirit liyt to be wrooth?
15The herte of a prudent man schal holde stidfastli kunnyng; and the eere of wise men sekith techyng.
16The yift of a man alargith his weie; and makith space to hym bifore princes.
17A iust man is the first accusere of hym silf; his frend cometh, and schal serche hym.
18Lot ceessith ayenseiyngis; and demeth also among miyti men.
19A brother that is helpid of a brothir, is as a stidfast citee; and domes ben as the barris of citees.
20A mannus wombe schal be fillid of the fruit of his mouth; and the seedis of hise lippis schulen fille hym.
21Deth and lijf ben in the werkis of tunge; thei that louen it, schulen ete the fruytis therof.
22He that fyndith a good womman, fyndith a good thing; and of the Lord he schal drawe vp myrthe. He that puttith a wey a good womman, puttith awei a good thing; but he that holdith auowtresse, is a fool and vnwijs.
23A pore man schal speke with bisechingis; and a riche man schal speke sterneli.
24A man freendli to felouschipe schal more be a frend, than a brothir.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) vs King James Version in Proverbs 18
Wycliffe Bible (1395) (Wycliffe)
The first complete English translation of the Bible (1395) by John Wycliffe and his followers. Translated from the Latin Vulgate. A landmark in English history and the Reformation.
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 Wycliffe Bible (1395) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 18:16
"The yift of a man alargith his weie; and makith space to hym bifore princes."
"A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men."
