Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
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 senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
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 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
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 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgement.
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 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
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 ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to 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 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
[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 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
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 wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
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 ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
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 sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him amongst princes.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
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 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
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 helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
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 fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
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 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits 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 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
[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.
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.
