Ordsprogene 26

1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn Høsten så lidt hører Ære sig til for en Tåbe.

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.

2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt så rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.

As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.

3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Tåbers Ryg.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey and a rod is for the back of fools.

4 Svar ej Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.

5 Svar Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.

Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become wise in his own eyes.

6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Tåbe.

Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.

Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Tåbe.

Like tying a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool.

9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 Som en Skytte, der sårer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Tåbe og en drukken.

Like an archer who wounds all those around him is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.

11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Tåbe, der gentager Dårskab.

As a dog returns to his own vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Tåbe er der mere Håb end for ham.

Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 Den lade siger: "Et Rovdyr på Vejen, en Løve ude på Torvene!"

The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”

14 Døren drejer sig på sit Hængsel, den lade på sit Leje.

As the door turns on its hinges, so is the lazy person upon his bed.

15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Hånden til Munden.

The lazy person puts his hand into the dish and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.

16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.

The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.

17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.

Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.

18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,

Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,

19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: "Jeg spøger jo kun."

is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”

20 Er der intet Brænde, går Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.

For lack of wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.

21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.

As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.

The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

23 Som Sølvovertræk på et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.

Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.

24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;

One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.

25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.

He will speak graciously, but do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.

Though his hatred is covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.

28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.

A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.