Ordsprogene 20

1 Vin er en Spotter, stærk Drik en Larmer, og hver som raver deraf, bliver ikke viis.

Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

2 Den Forfærdelse, en Konge vækker, er som en ung Løves Brølen; den, som fortørner ham, synder imod sit Liv.

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

3 Det er en Ære for en Mand at blive fra Trætte, men hver Daare vælter sig ind i den.

It is an honor for a person to keep away from strife, but every fool quarrels.

4 Fordi det er Vinter, vil den lade ikke pløje; om Høsten vil han søge, og der er intet.

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.

5 Raad i en Mands Hjerte er dybt Vand, men en forstandig Mand drager det op.

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Mange Mennesker udraabe hver sin Kærlighed; men hvo finder en trofast Mand?

Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?

7 Den, som vandrer frem i sin Oprigtighed, er retfærdig; lyksalige ere hans Børn efter ham.

A righteous man walks in integrity; blessed are his children after him.

8 En Konge, som sidder paa Domstolen, udskiller alle onde med sine Øjne.

A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.

9 Hvo kan sige: Jeg har renset mit Hjerte; jeg er ren for min Synd?

Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?"

10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Efa, de ere begge en Vederstyggelighed for Herren.

Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

11 Ogsaa af sine Gerninger kendes den unge, om han er ren, og om hans Gerning er ret.

Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

12 Et Øre, som hører, og et Øje, som ser, ogsaa dem begge har Herren gjort.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, The LORD has made even both of them.

13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ikke skal blive fattig; slaa dine Øjne op, saa skal du mættes af Brød.

Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

14 Det er slet! det er slet! siger Køberen; men naar han gaar bort, da roser han sig.

"It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

15 Der er Guld og mange Perler til; men Kundskabs Læber ere et dyrebart Kar.

There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

16 Naar en gaar i Borgen for en fremmed, saa tag hans Klæder; og tag Pant af ham, naar det er for den ubekendte.

Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.

17 Brød, tjent ved Bedrag, smager en Mand vel; men siden bliver hans Mund fuld af Grus.

Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.

18 Beslutninger efter Raadslagning bestaa; før da Krig efter fornuftig Ledelse!

Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war.

19 Den, der gaar om som en Bagvadsker, aabenbarer Hemmeligheder; og indlad dig ikke med den, som er aabenmundet.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore do not keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

20 Hvo som bander sin Fader eller sin Moder, hans Lampe skal udslukkes midt i Mørket.

Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.

21 Den Arv, som man i Førstningen higer efter, den skal ikke velsignes paa det sidste.

An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won't be blessed in the end.

22 Sig ikke: Jeg vil betale ondt; bi efter Herren, og han skal frelse dig.

Do not say, "I will pay back evil." Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.

23 To Slags Vægt er en Vederstyggelighed for Herren, og falske Vægtskaaler ere ikke gode.

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are no good.

24 En Mands Gang er at Herren, og hvad forstaar et Menneske sig paa sin Vej?

A man's steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?

25 Det er Mennesket en Snare ubesindigt at sige: „Helligt!‟ og først efter Løfterne betænke det.

It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.

26 En viis Konge udskiller de ugudelige og lader Hjulet gaa over dem.

A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.

27 Menneskens Aand er en Lampe fra Herren; den ransager alle Lønkamre i hans Indre.

The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

28 Miskundhed og Sandhed bevare en Konge, og han støtter sin Trone ved Miskundhed.

Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

29 En Pryd for de unge er deres Kraft, og et Smykke for de gamle ere de graa Haar.

The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.

30 En Salvelse for den onde ere Striber af Saar og Slag, der trænge dybt ind i hans Krop.

Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.