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 seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own 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].
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, 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.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring 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).
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in 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 dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
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 dullard, is his ruin, 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 tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
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].
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, 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 substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
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, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
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].
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth 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 causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
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 estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
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 inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he 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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
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.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
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 having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
