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.
L’Homme qui s’isole ne fait que suivre ses caprices: il s’insurge contre tout ce qui est raisonnable.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Le fou ne veut pas de la raison: il ne demande qu’à mettre à nu son cœur.
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].
Le méchant entraîne le mépris à sa suite; la honte accompagne le manque de dignité.
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.
Ce sont des eaux profondes que les paroles d’une bouche humaine, un torrent jaillissant, une source de sagesse.
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).
Prendre parti pour le méchant, évincer le juste de ses droits, est bien mal agir.
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 entraînent des disputes, 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 cause sa ruine, et ses lèvres sont un piège pour sa personne.
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 d’un boutefeu sont comme des coups qui retentissent au plus profond des entrailles.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Apporter de la négligence dans son travail suffit pour être l’émule d’un artisan de ruines.
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 du Seigneur est une tour fortifiée: le juste s’y réfugie et est hors d’atteinte.
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].
La fortune est une place forte pour le riche, un rempart tutélaire, à ce qu’il s’imagine.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Lorsque s’enfle le cœur de l’homme, sa ruine est proche; l’honneur suit de près l’humilité.
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 cause de 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].
Un esprit viril sait supporter la maladie; mais un esprit abattu, qui le soutiendra?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
Le cœur bien inspiré acquiert la science; l’oreille des sages est avide de savoir.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
Les cadeaux ouvrent un facile accès à l’homme et le font arriver jusqu’aux 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].
Qui parle le premier dans un procès a raison; vienne la partie adverse, on approfondit la cause.
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 met fin aux disputes et tranche le débat entre 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 infidèle est pire qu’une ville forte, les disputes, que les verrous d’un château-fort.
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].
De l’usage de la parole dépend la nourriture de l’homme; il s’alimente du produit de ses lèvres.
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; ceux qui aiment l’exercer en goûtent les fruits.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
Qui a trouvé une femme distinguée a trouvé le bonheur et a obtenu une faveur de l’Eternel.
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 suppliant, le riche répond avec dureté.
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.
Avoir beaucoup d’amis nuit; mais tel ami est plus attaché qu’un frère.
