Proverbs 18

1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.

Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.

Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.

3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach.

Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.

4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.

5 To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.

Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.

6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.

Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,

7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.

8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.

9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.

Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.

11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own imagination.

Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.

Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Gaver åbner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.

Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.

19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslå for Borg.

20 A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.

Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.

23 The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.

Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.

24 He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.