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.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
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].
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor 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.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
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's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob 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.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
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.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
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 is a protective tower that good people can run to and be 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].
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
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].
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
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 first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
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 lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
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 you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors 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].
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
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).
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by 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 beg for mercy, but the rich reply 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.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
