Sprueche 18
1 Den Eigenwillen sucht, wer sich absondert; bei jeglicher Gelegenheit beginnt er Streit.
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 Der Tor hat kein Gefallen an Belehrung; er möchte nur die eigene Meinung künden.
Foolish people do not want to understand [anything]; they only want to (express their [own] opinions/say what they think) [IDM].
3 Wo Frevel auftritt, dort tritt auch Verachtung auf, und Schmähung ist mit Hohn vereint.
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 Aus eines Mannes Munde tiefe Worte sind Gewässer, ein Strom, der aus dem Born der Weisheit sprudelt.
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 Daß man Partei für einen Frevler nimmt, daß man das Recht des Frommen beugt, nützt nichts.
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 Des Toren Lippen schaffen Streit; nach Schlägen ruft sein Mund.
When foolish people [SYN] start arguments, [it is as though] they [SYN] are requesting/inviting someone to flog/whip them.
7 Des Toren Mund führt seinen Sturz herbei, und seine Lippen sind ein Strick für seinen Hals.
What foolish people [MTY] say causes them to be ruined; their [own] words are [like] a trap [MET] [that catches/seizes] them.
8 Des Ohrenbläsers Worte sind wie Hammerschläge; sie dringen tief ins Herz hinein.
[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 Wer lässig bei der Arbeit ist und wer den eigenen Besitz zerstört, sind Brüder.
People who are lazy while they work are [just as bad] as [IDM] those who destroy things.
10 Ein fester Turm des Herren Name; der Fromme läuft zu ihm und ist gesichert.
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 Des Reichen Habe ist ihm eine feste Stadt, wie eine hohe Mauer um ihn her.
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 Stolz geht dem Sturz voran, der Ehre Demut.
Proud people are on the road to being ruined, but being humble leads to being honored.
13 Gibt jemand Antwort schon, bevor er recht verstanden, so rechnet man es ihm als Torheit und als Schande.
Those who reply to someone before that person has finished speaking are foolish; doing that is disgraceful.
14 Ein männliches Gemüt kann seine Leiden meistern. Ein düsteres Gemüt, wer mag's erträglich finden?
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 Des Klugen Herz erwirbt sich Einsicht; Einsicht sucht auch des Weisen Ohr.
Intelligent people [are always wanting to] learn more; wise people [SYN] are not content with what they already know.
16 Geschenke schaffen ihrem Geber Raum und öffnen ihm den Zutritt zu den Großen.
If you take a gift to an important person, that will open the way to allow you to talk to him.
17 In einem Streite hat der erste Recht; da kommt der andere und untersucht's aufs neue.
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 Den Streitigkeiten macht das Los ein Ende; es trennt die Streitenden.
If two influential/important people are arguing, [someone can] settle the matter by (casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right).
19 Ein Bruder kann an einer Festung sich vergehen, sind Streitigkeiten doch, was eine Bresche für die Burg.
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 Mit seines Mundes Frucht ersättigt jeder seinen Magen, von seiner Lippen Ernte kann er satt sich essen.
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 In dem Bereich der Zunge liegen Tod und Leben, und wer sie gern gebraucht, genießt auch ihre Frucht.
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 Wer je das Weib erforscht, hat einen guten Fund getan, und er erfreut sich der besonderen Huld des Herrn.
If you marry a [good] woman, that is [like] finding a wonderful thing; [it shows that] Yahweh is pleased with you.
23 Der Arme redet weinerlich; der Reiche aber spricht mit Nachdruck.
[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 Gefährten gibt's, die gegenseitig sich zugrunde richten; und Freunde gibt's, anhänglicher als Brüder.
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.
