Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
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 dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, 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 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
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 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away 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 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
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 dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to 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 tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
[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 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, 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 substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high 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 grievous injury, a man’s heart 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 before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear 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 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, 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 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly 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, the mighty, it parteth.
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 estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
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 inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
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 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
[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 having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who 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.
