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.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
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 in revealing his own opinion.
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 wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like 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 be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
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 come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 a snare to 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 gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
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 LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable 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 proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
He who answers before he hears, that 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].
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed 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 the discerning gets knowledge. 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 cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
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 settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is 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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
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.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
