Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgement.
6 Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.
A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Gaver åbner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him amongst princes.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslå for Borg.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.
