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.

For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

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

A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his 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].

With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — 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.

Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

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).

Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.

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

The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.

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

The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

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 tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.

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

He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.

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].

A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.

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] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.

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

Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.

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

Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him 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].

The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?

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 getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

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

The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

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].

Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched 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).

The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

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].

A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

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 a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase 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] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it 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.

[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.

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.

[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.

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.

A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!