Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
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.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
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].
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
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.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
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).
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
[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.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
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].
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
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].
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
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].
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
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].
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
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].
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
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].
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.
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).
22 [Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
[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.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
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.
