Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Gaver åbner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslå for Borg.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
