Mudre Izreke 16
1 Čovjek snuje u srcu, a od Jahve je što će jezik odgovoriti.
2 Čovjeku se svi njegovi putovi čine čisti, a Jahve ispituje duhove.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Prepusti Jahvi svoja djela, i tvoje će se namisli ostvariti.
4 Jahve je sve stvorio u svoju svrhu, pa i opakoga za dan zli.
5 Mrzak je Jahvi svatko ohola duha: takav zaista ne ostaje bez kazne.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 Ljubavlju se i vjernošću pomiruje krivnja, i strahom se Gospodnjim uklanja zlo.
7 Kad su Jahvi mili putovi čovječji, i neprijatelje njegove miri s njim.
8 Bolje je malo s pravednošću nego veliki dohoci s nepravdom.
9 Srce čovječje smišlja svoj put, ali Jahve upravlja korake njegove.
10 Proročanstvo je na usnama kraljevim: u osudi se njegova usta neće ogriješiti.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 Mjere i tezulje pripadaju Jahvi; njegovo su djelo i svi utezi.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 Mrsko je kraljevima počiniti opačinu, jer se pravdom utvrđuje prijestolje.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Mile su kraljevima usne pravedne i oni ljube onog koji govori pravo.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 Jarost je kraljeva vjesnik smrti ali je mudar čovjek ublaži.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 U kraljevu je vedru licu život, i njegova je milost kao oblak s kišom proljetnom.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 Probitačnije je steći mudrost nego zlato, i stjecati razbor dragocjenije je nego srebro.
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 Životni je put pravednih: kloniti se zla, i tko pazi na svoj put, čuva život svoj.
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Pred slomom ide oholost i pred padom uznositost.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Bolje je biti krotak s poniznima nego dijeliti plijen s oholima.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 Tko pazi na riječ, nalazi sreću, i tko se uzda u Jahvu, blago njemu.
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 Mudar srcem naziva se razumnim i prijazne usne uvećavaju znanje.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Izvor je životni razum onima koji ga imaju, a ludima je kazna njihova ludost.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 Mudračev duh urazumljuje usta njegova, na usnama mu znanje umnožava.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Saće meda riječi su ljupke, slatke duši i lijek kostima.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 Neki se put čini čovjeku prav, a na kraju vodi k smrti.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
26 Radnikova glad radi za nj; jer ga tjeraju usta njegova.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 Bezočnik pripravlja samo zlo i na usnama mu je oganj plameni.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 Himben čovjek zameće svađu i klevetnik razdor među prijatelje.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 Nasilnik zavodi bližnjega svoga i navodi ga na rđav put.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 Tko očima namiguje, himbu smišlja, a tko usne stišće, već je smislio pakost.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 Sijede su kose prekrasna kruna, nalaze se na putu pravednosti.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 Tko se teško srdi, bolji je od junaka, i tko nad sobom vlada, bolji je od osvojitelja grada.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 U krilo plašta baca se kocka, ali je od Jahve svaka odluka.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
