Proverbios 18
1 El hombre que se aísla persigue el egoísmo, y desafía todo buen juicio.
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 El necio no se deleita en el entendimiento, pero sólo para revelar su propia opinión.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 Cuando llega la maldad, llega también el desprecio, y con la vergüenza viene la desgracia.
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 Las palabras de la boca del hombre son como aguas profundas. La fuente de la sabiduría es como un arroyo que fluye.
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 Ser parcial con las caras de los malvados no es bueno, ni para privar a los inocentes de la justicia.
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 Los labios de un necio entran en disputa, y su boca invita a los golpes.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 La boca del necio es su perdición, y sus labios son una trampa para su alma.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 Las palabras de un chismoso son como bocados delicados: bajan a lo más íntimo de la persona.
[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 El que es flojo en su trabajo es hermano de aquel que es maestro de la destrucción.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 El nombre de Yahvé es una torre fuerte: los justos corren hacia él, y están a salvo.
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 La riqueza del rico es su ciudad fuerte, como un muro inescalable en su propia imaginación.
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 Antes de la destrucción, el corazón del hombre es orgulloso, pero antes del honor está la humildad.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 El que responde antes de escuchar, que es una locura y una vergüenza para él.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 El espíritu del hombre lo sostendrá en la enfermedad, pero un espíritu aplastado, ¿quién puede soportarlo?
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 El corazón del que discierne obtiene conocimiento. El oído del sabio busca el conocimiento.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 El regalo de un hombre le da cabida, y lo lleva ante los grandes hombres.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 El que defiende su causa primero parece tener razón. hasta que llega otro y lo interroga.
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 El lote resuelve las disputas, y mantiene separados a los fuertes.
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 hermano ofendido es más difícil que una ciudad fortificada. Las disputas son como los barrotes de una fortaleza.
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 El estómago del hombre se llena con el fruto de su boca. Con la cosecha de sus labios está satisfecho.
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 muerte y la vida están en poder de la lengua; los que la aman comerán su fruto.
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 Quien encuentra una esposa, encuentra algo bueno, y obtiene el favor de Yahvé.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 Los pobres piden clemencia, pero los ricos responden con dureza.
[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 Un hombre con muchos compañeros puede arruinarse, pero hay un amigo que está más cerca que un hermano.
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.
