Mudre Izreke 16
1 Čovjek snuje u srcu, a od Jahve je što će jezik odgovoriti.
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 Čovjeku se svi njegovi putovi čine čisti, a Jahve ispituje duhove.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Prepusti Jahvi svoja djela, i tvoje će se namisli ostvariti.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 Jahve je sve stvorio u svoju svrhu, pa i opakoga za dan zli.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Mrzak je Jahvi svatko ohola duha: takav zaista ne ostaje bez kazne.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 Ljubavlju se i vjernošću pomiruje krivnja, i strahom se Gospodnjim uklanja zlo.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 Kad su Jahvi mili putovi čovječji, i neprijatelje njegove miri s njim.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Bolje je malo s pravednošću nego veliki dohoci s nepravdom.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 Srce čovječje smišlja svoj put, ali Jahve upravlja korake njegove.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 Proročanstvo je na usnama kraljevim: u osudi se njegova usta neće ogriješiti.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Mjere i tezulje pripadaju Jahvi; njegovo su djelo i svi utezi.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 Mrsko je kraljevima počiniti opačinu, jer se pravdom utvrđuje prijestolje.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Mile su kraljevima usne pravedne i oni ljube onog koji govori pravo.
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 Jarost je kraljeva vjesnik smrti ali je mudar čovjek ublaži.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 U kraljevu je vedru licu život, i njegova je milost kao oblak s kišom proljetnom.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 Probitačnije je steći mudrost nego zlato, i stjecati razbor dragocjenije je nego srebro.
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 Životni je put pravednih: kloniti se zla, i tko pazi na svoj put, čuva život svoj.
The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Pred slomom ide oholost i pred padom uznositost.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 Bolje je biti krotak s poniznima nego dijeliti plijen s oholima.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 Tko pazi na riječ, nalazi sreću, i tko se uzda u Jahvu, blago njemu.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 Mudar srcem naziva se razumnim i prijazne usne uvećavaju znanje.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Izvor je životni razum onima koji ga imaju, a ludima je kazna njihova ludost.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 Mudračev duh urazumljuje usta njegova, na usnama mu znanje umnožava.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Saće meda riječi su ljupke, slatke duši i lijek kostima.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 Neki se put čini čovjeku prav, a na kraju vodi k smrti.
There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 Radnikova glad radi za nj; jer ga tjeraju usta njegova.
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 Bezočnik pripravlja samo zlo i na usnama mu je oganj plameni.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 Himben čovjek zameće svađu i klevetnik razdor među prijatelje.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 Nasilnik zavodi bližnjega svoga i navodi ga na rđav put.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
30 Tko očima namiguje, himbu smišlja, a tko usne stišće, već je smislio pakost.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Sijede su kose prekrasna kruna, nalaze se na putu pravednosti.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Tko se teško srdi, bolji je od junaka, i tko nad sobom vlada, bolji je od osvojitelja grada.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 U krilo plašta baca se kocka, ali je od Jahve svaka odluka.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
