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.

One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.

2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].

A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.

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].

When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and reproach.

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.

The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.

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).

It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.

6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.

A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.

7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.

A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.

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.

The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.

9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.

Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.

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].

The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.

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].

The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.

12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.

Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.

One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.

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].

A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?

15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.

The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.

16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.

A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.

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].

The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.

18 If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).

Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.

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].

An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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].

From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.

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).

Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.

22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.

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.

A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.

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.

The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.