Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all 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 that his heart may discover 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, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy 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, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [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 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow 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 strokes.
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 talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts 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 slothful in his work is brother to 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 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
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 honour [is] humility.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], 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 wounded 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 is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth 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 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 [their] 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [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 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 favour 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 poor useth intreaties; 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 must shew himself friendly: and 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.
