Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
Døde Fluer gør Salveblanderens Olie stinkende, lidt Dårskab ødelægger Visdommens Værd.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
Den vise har sin Forstand tilhøjre, Tåben har sin til venstre,
3 Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Hvor Dåren end færdes, svigter hans Forstand, og han røber for alle, at han er en Dåre.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
Når en Herskers Vrede rejser sig mod dig, forlad ikke derfor din Plads; thi Sagtmodighed hindrer store Synder.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
Der er et Onde, jeg så under Solen; det ser ud som et Misgreb af ham, som har Magten:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
Dårskab sættes i Højsædet, nederst sidder de rige.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
Trælle så jeg højt til Hest og Høvdinger til Fods som Trælle.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Den, som graver en Grav, falder selv deri; den, som nedbryder en Mur, ham bider en Slange;
9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
den, som bryder Sten, kan såre sig på dem; den, som kløver Træ, er i Fare.
10 If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Når Øksen er sløv og dens Æg ej hvæsses, må Kraft lægges i; men den dygtiges Fortrin er Visdom.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
Bider en Slange, før den besværges, har Besværgeren ingen Gavn af sin Kunst.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
Ord fra Vismands Mund vinder Yndest, en Dåres Læber bringer ham Våde;
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
hans Tale begynder med Dårskab og ender med den værste Galskab.
14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
Tåben bruger mange Ord. Ej ved Mennesket, hvad der skal ske; hvad der efter hans Død skal ske, hvo siger ham det?
15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
Dårens Flid gør ham træt, thi end ikke til Bys ved han Vej.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
Ve dig, du Land, hvis Konge er en Dreng og hvis Fyrster holder Gilde ved Gry.
17 Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Held dig; du Land, hvis Konge er ædelbåren, hvis Fyrster holder Gilde til sømmelig Tid som Mænd og ikke som drankere.
18 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
Ved Ladhed synker Bjælkelaget; når Hænderne slappes, drypper det i Huset.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
Til Morskab holder man Gæstebud, og Vin gør de levende glade; men Penge skaffer alt til Veje.
20 Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
End ikke i din Tanke må du bande en Konge, end ikke i dit Sovekammer en, som er rig; thi Himlens Fugle kan udsprede Ordet, de vingede røbe, hvad du siger.
