Proverbs 18
1 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.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 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].
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 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.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 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).
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 [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.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 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].
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 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].
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 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].
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 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].
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 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].
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 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].
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 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).
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 [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.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 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.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
