Proverbes 18
1 Celui qui veut rompre avec son ami en cherche les occasions; mais il sera couvert d’opprobre en tout temps.
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 L’insensé ne reçoit pas les paroles de la prudence, à moins que tu ne lui dises les choses qui se trouvent dans son cœur.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 L’impie, lorsqu’il est venu au fond des péchés, méprise; mais l’ignominie le suit ainsi que l’opprobre.
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 C’est une eau profonde que les paroles qui sortent de la bouche de l’homme, et un torrent débordé que la source de la sagesse.
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 Faire acception de la personne d’un impie n’est pas une bonne chose, pour que tu t’écartes de la vérité dans le jugement.
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 Les lèvres de l’insensé se mêlent dans des rixes, et sa bouche provoque des querelles.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 La bouche de l’insensé est sa destruction; et ses lèvres sont la ruine de son âme.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 Les paroles d’un homme à double langue paraissent simples; et elles pénètrent jusqu’au fond des entrailles. La crainte abat le paresseux; mais les âmes des efféminés auront faim.
[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 Celui qui est mou et lâche dans son ouvrage est frère de celui qui détruit les ouvrages.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 C’est une tour très forte que le nom du Seigneur; le juste y court, et il sera exalté.
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 Le bien du riche est sa ville forte, et comme une muraille solide qui l’environne.
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 Avant qu’il soit brisé, le cœur de l’homme est exalté; et avant d’être élevé en gloire, il est humilié.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 Celui qui répond avant d’écouter se montre insensé et digne de confusion.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 L’esprit de l’homme soutient sa faiblesse; mais un esprit facile à se mettre en colère, qui pourra le soutenir?
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 Le cœur prudent possédera la science; et l’oreille des sages cherche la doctrine.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 Le présent d’un homme élargit sa voie, et devant les princes lui fait faire place.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 Le juste est le premier accusateur de lui-même; vient son ami, et il l’examinera.
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 Le sort apaise les différends; et entre les puissants mêmes, il sert d’arbitre.
If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
19 Un frère qui est aidé par son frère est comme une cité forte; et leurs jugements sont comme les verrous des portes des villes.
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 Le ventre de l’homme sera rempli du fruit de sa bouche; et les produits de ses lèvres le rassasieront.
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 La mort et la vie sont au pouvoir de la langue; ceux qui l’aiment mangeront ses fruits.
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 Celui qui a trouvé une femme vertueuse a trouvé un bien; et il puisera la joie dans le Seigneur. Celui qui chasse une femme vertueuse rejette un bien; mais celui qui retient une adultère est insensé et impie.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 C’est avec des supplications que parlera le pauvre; mais le riche s’énoncera sévèrement.
[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 L’homme aimable à la société sera plus ami qu’un frère.
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.
