Ordsprogene 24
1 Misund ej onde Folk, hav ikke lyst til at være med dem;
Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 thi deres Hjerte pønser på Vold, deres Læbers Ord volder Men.
For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Ved Visdom bygges et Hus, ved Indsigt holdes det oppe,
Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established:
4 ved Kundskab fyldes kamrene med alskens kosteligt, herligt Gods.
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 Vismand er større end Kæmpe, kyndig Mand mer end Kraftkarl.
A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.
6 Thi Krig skal du føre efter modent Overlæg, vel står det til, hvor mange giver Råd.
For by wise counsel you shall make your war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7 Visdom er Dåren for høj, han åbner ej Munden i Porten.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate.
8 Den, der har ondt i Sinde, kaldes en rænkefuld Mand.
He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 Hvad en Dåre har for, er Synd, en Spotter er Folk en Gru.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 Taber du Modet på Trængslens Dag, da er din Kraft kun ringe.
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
11 Frels dem, der slæbes til Døden, red dem, der vakler hen for at dræbes.
If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 Siger du: "Se, jeg vidste det ikke" - mon ej han, der vejer Hjerter, kan skønne? Han, der tager Vare på din Sjæl, han ved det, han gengælder Mennesker, hvad de har gjort.
If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13 Spis Honning, min Søn, det er godt, og Kubens Saft er sød for din Gane;
My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:
14 vid, at så er og Visdom for Sjælen! Når du finder den, har du en Fremtid, dit Håb bliver ikke til intet.
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Lur ej på den retfærdiges Bolig, du gudløse, ødelæg ikke hans Hjem;
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 thi syv Gange falder en retfærdig og står op, men gudløse styrter i Fordærv.
For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Falder din Fjende, så glæd dig ikke, snubler han, juble dit Hjerte ikke,
Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
18 at ikke HERREN skal se det med Mishag og vende sin Vrede fra ham.
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Græm dig ej over Ugerningsmænd, misund ikke de gudløse;
Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked:
20 thi den onde har ingen Fremtid, gudløses Lampe går ud.
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Frygt HERREN og Kongen, min Søn, indlad dig ikke med Folk, som gør Oprør;
My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 thi brat kommer Ulykke fra dem, uventet Fordærv fra begge.
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?
23 Også følgende Ordsprog er af vise Mænd. Partiskhed i Retten er ilde.
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 Mod den, som kender en skyldig fri, er Folkeslags Banden, Folkefærds Vrede;
He that says to the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 men dem, der dømmer med Ret, går det vel, dem kommer Lykkens Velsignelse over.
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come on them.
26 Et Kys på Læberne giver den, som kommer med ærligt Svar.
Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.
27 Fuldfør din Gerning udendørs, gør dig færdig ude på Marken og byg dig siden et Hus!
Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
28 Vidn ikke falsk mod din Næste, vær ikke letsindig med dine Læber;
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips.
29 sig ikke: "Jeg gør mod ham, som han gjorde mod mig, jeg gengælder hver hans Gerning."
Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30 Jeg kom forbi en lad Mands Mark og et uforstandigt Menneskes Vingård;
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 se, den var overgroet af Tidsler, ganske skjult af Nælder; Stendiget om den lå nedbrudt.
And, see, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Jeg skued og skrev mig det bag Øre, jeg så og tog Lære deraf:
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked on it, and received instruction.
33 Lidt Søvn endnu, lidt Blund, lidt Hvile med samlagte Hænder:
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 Som en Stimand kommer da Fattigdom over dig, Trang som en skjoldvæbnet Mand.
So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your want as an armed man.
