Proverbs 18
1 He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject 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 fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow 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 Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
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 wicked, to decline from the truth of 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 The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin 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 the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
[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 that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be 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 substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
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 a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, 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 A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
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 suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
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: they that love 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 hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak 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 A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly 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.
