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 that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are 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 wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach 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 men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
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 person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of 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 a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
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 a fool is his destruction: and his 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 are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth 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 strong tower: the just runneth to it, and 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 rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy 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 upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
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 enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
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 first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search 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 suppresseth contentions, and determineth even 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 that is helped by his brother, is like a strong 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].
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill 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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
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 speak 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 in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
