Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
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 intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
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 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
