Propovjednik 10
1 Uginula muha usmrdi mirisno ulje, a i malo ludosti jače je od mudrosti i časti.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2 Mudrac kroči pravim putem, a luđak krivim.
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Dovoljno je da luđak pođe putem: kako razbora nema, svakomu pokazuje da je lud.
Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Ako se na te digne vladaočev gnjev, ne ostavljaj svoga mjesta, jer blagost sprečava velike grijehe.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Ima zlo što ga vidjeh pod suncem kao prestupak koji dolazi od vladaoca:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 ludost se podiže na najviša mjesta, a veliki zauzimaju niske položaje.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Vidjeh sluge na konjima, a knezove gdje idu pješice kao sluge.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 Tko jamu kopa, u nju pada; i tko ruši zid, ujeda ga zmija.
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Tko lomi kamenje, ono ga ranjava; tko cijepa drva, može nastradati.
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 Kad zatupi željezo i oštrica mu nije nabrušena, tada treba više snage; a nagrada mudrosti je uspjeh.
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11 Ako zmija ujede prije čaranja, ništa onda opčaratelj ne koristi.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12 Pune su miline riječi iz usta mudraca, a bezumnika upropašćuju njegove usne.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13 On počinje svoje besjede ludošću i svršava ih potpunim bezumljem.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Luđak previše govori: čovjek ne poznaje budućnost, i tko mu može kazati što će poslije njega biti?
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 Luđake mori njihov trud; tko ne zna puta, ne može u grad.
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16 Jao tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj premlad i knezovi se već ujutro goste.
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Blago tebi, zemljo, kad ti je kralj plemenit i knezovi ti u svoje vrijeme blaguju da se okrijepe, a ne da se opiju.
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!
18 S lijenosti se ugiblju grede, zbog nebrige prokišnjava kuća.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Ali su gozbe radi zabave i vino uveseljava život, a novci pribavljaju sve.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20 Ni u svojoj misli ne kuni kralja, ni u svojoj ložnici ne kuni bogataša, jer će ptice odnijeti glas i kleveta lako okrilati.
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.
