Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
22 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.]
Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
