Pregovori 18
1 Preko želje človek, ki je samega sebe oddvojil, išče in se vmešava z vso modrostjo.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Bedak nima veselja v razumevanju, temveč da njegovo srce lahko odkrije samo sebe.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Kadar prihaja zlobni, potem prihaja tudi zaničevanje in s sramoto graja.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Besede iz človekovih ust so kakor globoke vode in vrelec modrosti kakor tekoč potok.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Ni dobro sprejeti osebo zlobnega, da pravičnega zruši na sodbi.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Bedakove ustnice vstopajo v spor in njegova usta kličejo za udarci.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Bedakova usta so njegovo uničenje in njegove ustnice so zanka njegovi duši.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Besede tožljivca so kakor rane in gredo navzdol v najnotranjejše dele trebuha.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Tudi tisti, ki je len v svojem delu, je brat tistemu, ki je velik kvarilec.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Gospodovo ime je močan stolp, pravični priteče vanj in je varen.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Bogataševo premoženje je njegovo močno mesto in kakor visoko obzidje v njegovi lastni domišljavosti.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Pred uničenjem je človekovo srce ošabno in pred častjo je ponižnost.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Kdor odgovarja zadevo, preden jo sliši, mu je to neumnost in sramota.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Človekov duh bo podpiral njegovo šibkost, toda kdo lahko prenaša ranjenega duha?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Srce razsodnega pridobiva spoznanje, uho modrega pa išče spoznanje.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Človekovo darilo zanj pripravlja prostor in ga prinaša pred velike ljudi.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Kdor je prvi v svoji lastni zadevi, je videti pravičen, toda prihaja njegov sosed in ga preiskuje.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Žreb povzroča sporom, da se ustavijo in razdeljuje med mogočnimi.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Užaljenega brata je težje pridobiti kakor močno mesto in njihovi spori so podobni grajskim zapahom.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Človekov trebuh bo potešen s sadom svojih ust in nasičen bo z donosom svojih ustnic.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Smrt in življenje sta v oblasti jezika in tisti, ki ga ljubijo, bodo jedli od njegovega sadu.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Kdorkoli najde ženo, najde dobro stvar in dosega naklonjenost od Gospoda.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 Ubogi uporablja rotenja, toda bogataš odgovarja surovo.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Človek, ki ima prijatelje, se mora kazati prijatelja in obstaja prijatelj, ki se drži bližje kakor brat.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
