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.
Va tras sus propios deseos el que se separa (del amigo); todo su empeño consiste en pleitear.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Al necio no le gusta ser sensato, se deja llevar por los gustos de su corazón.
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].
Con la impiedad llega también la ignominia, y con la ignominia la deshonra.
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.
Aguas profundas son las palabras de la boca del hombre, torrente caudaloso la fuente de la sabiduría.
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).
No está bien tener miramientos con el malvado, para torcer el derecho contra un justo.
6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
Los labios del necio se meten en contiendas, y su boca provoca litigios.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
La boca del necio es su ruina, y sus labios son un lazo para su alma.
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.
Las palabras del chismoso son como dulces bocados, penetran hasta lo más hondo de las entrañas.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Quien es remiso en sus labores, hermano es del que disipa sus bienes.
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].
Ciudadela fuerte es el nombre de Yahvé, en ella se refugia el justo y está seguro.
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].
Las riquezas son para el rico una ciudad fuerte, en su fantasía le parecen una alta muralla.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Antes de la caída se engríe el corazón humano, y a la gloria precede la humillación.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Quien responde antes de escuchar, muestra su insensatez y confusión.
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].
El espíritu sostiene al hombre en la flaqueza pero al espíritu abatido ¿quién lo sostendrá?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
El corazón prudente adquiere sabiduría, y el oído de los sabios busca doctrina.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
Los presentes allanan al hombre el camino, y lo llevan a la presencia de los magnates.
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].
Inocente parece el que primero expone su causa, pero viene su adversario y lo examina.
18 If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
La suerte pone fin a las contiendas, y decide entre los poderosos.
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 hermano ofendido (resiste) más que una fortaleza, y sus querellas son como los cerrojos de una ciudadela.
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 los frutos de su boca sacia el hombre su vientre; se harta del producto de sus labios.
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 muerte y la vida están en poder de la lengua; cual sea su uso, tales serán los frutos que se comen.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
El que halla una esposa halla cosa buena, es un favor que le viene de Yahvé.
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.
Habla el pobre suplicando, mas el rico responde con aspereza.
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.
Amigos hay que solo sirven para perdición, pero hay también amigos más adictos que un hermano.
