Ordsprogene 16

1 Hjertets Råd er Menneskets sag. Tungens Svar er fra HERREN.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 En Mand holder al sin Færd for ren, men HERREN vejer Ånder.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.

3 Vælt dine Gerninger på HERREN, så skal dine Planer lykkes.

Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.

4 Alt skabte HERREN, hvert til sit, den gudløse også for Ulykkens Dag.

The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Hver hovmodig er HERREN en Gru, visselig slipper han ikke for Straf.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6 Ved Mildhed og Troskab sones Brøde, ved HERRENs Frygt undviger man ondt.

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7 Når HERREN har Behag i et Menneskes Veje, gør han endog hans Fjender til Venner.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Bedre er lidet med Retfærd end megen Vinding med Uret.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9 Menneskets Hjerte udtænker hans Vej, men HERREN styrer hans Fjed.

A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

10 Der er Gudsdom på Kongens Læber, ej fejler hans Mund, når han dømmer.

Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 Ret Bismer og Vægtskål er HERRENs, hans Værk er alle Posens Lodder.

Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 Gudløs Færd er Konger en Gru, thi ved Retfærd grundfæstes Tronen.

It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Retfærdige Læber har Kongens Yndest, han elsker den, der taler oprigtigt.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 Kongens Vrede er Dødens Bud, Vismand evner at mildne den.

The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 I Kongens Åsyns Lys er der Liv, som Vårregnens Sky er hans Yndest.

In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16 At vinde Visdom er bedre end Guld, at vinde Indsigt mere end Sølv.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 De retsindiges Vej er at vige fra ondt; den vogter sit Liv, som agter på sin Vej.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 Hovmod går forud for Fald, Overmod forud for Snublen.

Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19 Hellere sagtmodig med ydmyge end dele Bytte med stolte.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20 Vel går det den, der mærker sig Ordet; lykkelig den, der stoler på HERREN.

He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.

21 Den vise kaldes forstandig, Læbernes Sødme øger Viden.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 Kløgt er sin Mand en Livsens Kilde, Dårskab er Dårers Tugt.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23 Den vises Hjerte giver Munden Kløgt, på Læberne lægger det øget Viden.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24 Hulde Ord er som flydende Honning, søde for Sjælen og sunde for Legemet.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 Mangen Vej synes Manden ret, og så er dens Ende dog Dødens Veje.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26 En Arbejders Hunger arbejder for ham, thi Mundens Krav driver på ham.

The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.

27 En Nidding graver Ulykkesgrave, det er, som brændte der Ild på hans Læber.

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 Rænkefuld Mand sætter Splid; den, der bagtaler, skiller Venner.

A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29 Voldsmand lokker sin Næste og fører ham en Vej, der ikke er god.

A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Den, der stirrer, har Rænker for; knibes Læberne sammen, har man fuldbyrdet ondt.

One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31 Grå Hår er en dejlig Krone, den vindes på Retfærds Vej.

Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

32 Større end Helt er sindig Mand, større at styre sit Sind end at tage en Stad.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33 I Brystfolden rystes Loddet, det falder, som HERREN vil.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.