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.
Celui qui se tient à l’écart recherche ce qui lui plaît; il conteste contre toute sagesse.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Le sot ne prend pas plaisir à l’intelligence, mais à ce que son cœur soit manifesté.
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].
Quand vient le méchant, le mépris vient aussi, et avec l’ignominie, l’opprobre.
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.
Les paroles de la bouche d’un homme sont des eaux profondes, et la fontaine de la sagesse est un torrent qui coule.
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).
Ce n’est pas bien d’avoir acception de la personne du méchant pour faire frustrer le juste dans le jugement.
6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
Les lèvres du sot entrent en dispute, et sa bouche appelle les coups.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
La bouche du sot est sa ruine, et ses lèvres sont un piège pour son âme.
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.
Les paroles du rapporteur sont comme des friandises, et elles descendent jusqu’au-dedans des entrailles.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Celui-là aussi qui est lâche dans son ouvrage est frère du destructeur.
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].
Le nom de l’Éternel est une forte tour; le juste y court et s’y trouve en une haute retraite.
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].
Les biens du riche sont sa ville forte, et comme une haute muraille, dans son imagination.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Avant la ruine le cœur de l’homme s’élève, et la débonnaireté va devant la gloire.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Répondre avant d’avoir entendu, c’est une folie et une confusion pour qui le fait.
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].
L’esprit d’un homme soutient son infirmité; mais l’esprit abattu, qui le supportera?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
Le cœur de l’homme intelligent acquiert la connaissance, et l’oreille des sages cherche la connaissance.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
Le don d’un homme lui fait faire place et l’introduit devant les grands.
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].
Celui qui est le premier dans son procès est juste; son prochain vient, et l’examine.
18 If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
Le sort fait cesser les querelles et sépare les puissants.
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].
Un frère offensé est plus [difficile] à gagner qu’une ville forte, et les querelles sont comme les verrous d’un palais.
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].
Le ventre d’un homme est rassasié du fruit de sa bouche; du revenu de ses lèvres il est rassasié.
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).
La mort et la vie sont au pouvoir de la langue, et celui qui l’aime mangera de son fruit.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
Celui qui a trouvé une femme a trouvé une bonne chose, et il a obtenu faveur de la part de l’Éternel.
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.
Le pauvre parle en supplications, mais le riche répond des choses dures.
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.
L’homme qui a [beaucoup] de compagnons va se ruinant; mais il est tel ami plus attaché qu’un frère.
