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 s'isole suit son inclination; il s'obstine contre toute raison.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Ce n'est pas à la prudence que l'insensé prend plaisir; mais c'est à manifester ce qu'il a dans le 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].
Quand le méchant vient, le mépris vient aussi, et avec l'opprobre vient l'ignominie.
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 source de la sagesse est un torrent qui jaillit.
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).
Il n'est pas bon d'avoir égard à la personne du méchant, pour faire tort au 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 de l'insensé amènent la querelle, 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 de l'insensé est une ruine pour lui, et ses lèvres sont un piège à 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 d'un médisant sont comme des friandises; elles pénètrent jusqu'au-dedans des entrailles.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Celui qui se relâche dans son ouvrage, est frère de celui qui dissipe ce qu'il a.
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 il y est dans 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.
Le cœur de l'homme s'élève, avant que la ruine arrive; mais l'humilité précède la gloire.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Celui qui répond à un discours, avant que de l'avoir entendu, fait une folie et s'attire la 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].
L'esprit de l'homme le soutiendra dans la maladie; mais si l'esprit est abattu, qui le relèvera?
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 de la science, 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 présent d'un homme lui fait faire place, et lui donne accès auprès des 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 plaide le premier, paraît juste; mais sa partie 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 termine les procès, et fait les partages 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].
Des frères divisés sont plus difficiles à gagner qu'une ville forte; et leurs différends sont comme les verrous d'un château.
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].
C'est du fruit de sa bouche qu'un homme rassasie son corps; c'est du revenu de ses lèvres qu'il sera nourri.
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 en aime l'usage, en mangera les fruits.
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 le bonheur; c'est une faveur qu'il obtient 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 suppliant; mais 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.
Celui qui a beaucoup de compagnons les a pour son malheur; mais il y a tel ami plus attaché qu'un frère.
