Mudre Izreke 18
1 Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
