< 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.
Celui qui s'isole, suit sa fantaisie, il s'irrite contre tout ce qui est raisonnable.
2 Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
Ce n'est pas la raison qu'aime l'insensé, mais il aime à montrer son sentiment.
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].
Quand vient l'impiété vient aussi le mépris, et avec l'infamie, l'opprobre.
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.
Les paroles qui sortent de la bouche de l'homme, sont des eaux profondes; la source de la sagesse est une rivière abondante.
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).
Il est mal de prendre parti pour l'impie, afin de débouter le juste dans le jugement.
6 When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
Les lèvres de l'insensé apportent les querelles, et sa bouche excite aux coups.
7 What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
La bouche de l'impie est pour lui une cause de ruine, et ses lèvres, un piège à sa vie.
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.
Les propos du rapporteur sont comme des friandises; ils se glissent jusqu'au fond des entrailles.
9 People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
Celui-là aussi qui travaille lâchement, est frère du dissipateur.
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].
Le nom de l'Éternel est une forte tour, le juste y accourt, et se trouve en lieu sûr.
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].
L'opulence du riche est sa forteresse, et comme une haute muraille, dans son opinion.
12 Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
Avant la chute le cœur de l'homme s'élève; et l'humilité précède la gloire.
13 Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
Qui répond avant d'écouter, manque de sens, et sera confus.
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].
L'âme de l'homme supporte ses souffrances; mais une âme abattue, qui la relèvera?
15 Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
Le cœur de l'homme de sens acquiert la science, et l'oreille des sages est à la recherche de la science.
16 If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
Par des présents l'homme se fait jour; et ils l'introduisent chez les grands.
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].
Il [paraît] juste celui qui dans sa cause parle le premier; mais que vienne sa partie, et alors examine-le.
18 If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
Le sort met fin aux contestations; et entre les puissants il décide.
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].
Un frère est plus rebelle qu'une ville forte; et les querelles [des frères] sont comme les verrous d'un palais.
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].
Des fruits de sa bouche chacun est nourri, il est nourri de ce que ses lèvres lui rapportent.
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).
La mort et la vie dépendent de la langue; celui qui en aime l'usage, en goûtera les fruits.
22 If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
Trouver une femme c'est trouver le bonheur, et obtenir une faveur de l'Éternel.
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.
Le pauvre parle en suppliant; mais le riche répond durement.
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.
Tel a beaucoup de relations à son détriment; mais, ayez un ami, il s'attache plus qu'un frère.

< Proverbs 18 >