Mudre Izreke 18
1 Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
3 Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
4 Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7 Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
10 Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11 Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
13 Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
14 Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15 Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17 Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18 Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
19 Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
20 Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase 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, And those loving it eat its fruit.
22 Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23 Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24 Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
