Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
Those who separate themselves [from other people] think [only] about those things that they are interested in; [if they would continually associate with] those who have good judgment/sense, they would constantly disagree/quarrel with them.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy [cometh] reproach.
Whenever people do wicked things, others will despise them; when people do things that cause themselves to no [longer] be honored, they will be disgraced [also].
4 The words of a man’s mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
What wise people say is [like] a deep ocean [that you can never get to the bottom of] [MET], and it [refreshes us like water from] a rapidly flowing stream.
5 To respect the person of the wicked is not good, [Nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
It is not good [for a judge] to decide matters in favor of those who (are guilty/have done wicked things) and to not do what is just for those who (are innocent/have not done what is wrong).
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
[People enjoy listening to] what gossips say like [SIM] [they enjoy] tasty food; they [accept what gossips tell them like] [MET] they swallow tasty food.
9 He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Yahweh [MTY] is [like] a strong tower [MET]; righteous people [can] go to him and be safe [like they can run to a tower to be safe].
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
Rich people [are protected because they have] a lot of money [PRS] like a city is protected because it has a high wall surrounding it [SIM].
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
A desire to [continue to] live can sustain someone when he is sick; if he loses that desire, he (cannot endure it/will become very discouraged) when he is sick [RHQ].
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
The first person to present his case in court seems right, but when (someone else/his opponent) begins to ask him questions, [it may become clear that what he said was not true].
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
If you help relatives, they will [protect you] like [SIM] a strong wall [protects a city], but if you quarrel with them, [that will separate you from them] like bars on a city gate [separate the city from those who want to enter it] [MET].
20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
People are happy when they hear others say [MTY] something that is good, [like] they are happy when they eat food that is good [MET].
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
What you say can cause others to be killed or it can cause them to [continue to] live; [so] those who like [to talk a lot] must (accept the consequences/realize that what they say can cause much harm).
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
[It is necessary for] poor [people] to speak politely when they request [rich people to do something for them], but rich [people] reply very impolitely when poor people speak to them.
24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
There are [some] people who [only] pretend to be friends [with us], but there are [some] friends who are more loyal than members of our families.
