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