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.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
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].
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
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.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
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).
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin 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 the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
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 the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
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 substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
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 sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
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 expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
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].
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate 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).
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
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 who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
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].
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
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 will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves 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.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
