Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
