Proverbs 18
1 For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
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 foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
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 commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
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 mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
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 cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
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 fooles lips come with strife, 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 fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
[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 slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
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 righteous runneth vnto it, and is 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 rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his 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 a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto 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 susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
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 getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth 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 is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of 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 causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
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 winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a 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 With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite 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 findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 The poore speaketh with prayers: 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 A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then 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.
