Mudre Izreke 20
1 Vino je podsmjevač, žestoko piće bukač, i tko se njima odaje neće steći mudrosti.
Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.
2 Kraljev je gnjev kao rika lavlja: tko ga izaziva, griješi protiv sebe samog.
The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.
3 Čast je čovjeku ustegnuti se od raspre, a tko je bezuman počinje svađu.
It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.
4 Lijenčina u jesen ne ore: u doba žetve on traži, i ništa nema.
The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.
5 Savjet je u srcu čovječjem voda duboka i razuman će je čovjek iscrpsti.
The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
6 Mnogi se naziva dobrim čovjekom, ali tko će naći vjerna čovjeka?
Most men make no secret of their kind acts: but where is a man of good faith to be seen?
7 Pravednik hodi u bezazlenosti svojoj: blago sinovima njegovim poslije njega!
An upright man goes on in his righteousness: happy are his children after him!
8 Kralj koji sjedi na stolici sudačkoj istražuje svako zlo svojim očima.
A king on the seat of judging puts to flight all evil with his eyes.
9 Tko može reći: “Očistih srce svoje, oprah se od grijeha svoga?”
Who is able to say, I have made my heart clean, I am free from my sin?
10 Dvojaki utezi i dvojaka mjera mrski su Jahvi podjednako.
Unequal weights and unequal measures, they are all disgusting to the Lord.
11 I dijete se poznaje po onome što čini, je li čisto i pravedno djelo njegovo.
Even a child may be judged by his doings, if his work is free from sin and if it is right.
12 I uho koje čuje i oko koje vidi, oboje je Jahve načinio.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye are equally the Lord's work.
13 Ne ljubi sna, da ne osiromašiš; otvori oči svoje i nasitit ćeš se kruha.
Do not be a lover of sleep, or you will become poor: keep your eyes open, and you will have bread enough.
14 “Loše, loše”, govori kupac, a kad ode, hvali se dobrom kupovinom.
A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.
15 Ima zlata i mnogih bisera, ali su mudre usne najdragocjeniji nakit.
There is gold and a store of corals: but the lips of knowledge are a jewel of great price.
16 Uzmi haljinu onomu tko je jamčio za drugoga; oplijeni njega umjesto tuđinca.
Take a man's clothing if he makes himself responsible for a strange man, and get an undertaking from him who gives his word for strange men.
17 Sladak je čovjeku kruh prijevare, ali mu se usta poslije napune pijeskom.
Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but after, his mouth will be full of sand.
18 Naumi se provode savjetom: zato dobro razmisli pa vodi boj!
Every purpose is put into effect by wise help: and by wise guiding make war.
19 Tko okolo kleveće, otkriva tajne: zato se ne miješaj s onim komu su usne uvijek otvorene.
He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
20 Tko kune oca svoga i majku svoju svjetiljka mu se gasi usred tmine.
If anyone puts a curse on his father or his mother, his light will be put out in the blackest night.
21 Od početka brzo stečeno imanje na koncu nije blagoslovljeno.
A heritage may be got quickly at first, but the end of it will not be a blessing.
22 Nemoj govoriti: “Osvetit ću se za zlo”; čekaj Jahvu, i on će te spasiti.
Do not say, I will give punishment for evil: go on waiting for the Lord, and he will be your saviour.
23 Mrski su Jahvi dvojaki utezi, i kriva mjera ne valja.
Unequal weights are disgusting to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
24 Od Jahve su koraci čovječji, i kako da čovjek razumije svoj put?
A man's steps are of the Lord; how then may a man have knowledge of his way?
25 Zamka je čovjeku nesmotreno reći: “Ovo je sveto”, a poslije promišljati što je zavjetovao.
It is a danger to a man to say without thought, It is holy, and, after taking his oaths, to be questioning if it is necessary to keep them.
26 Mudar kralj umije izlučiti opake i stavlja ih pod točkove.
A wise king puts evil-doers to flight, and makes their evil-doing come back on them.
27 Svjetiljka je Gospodnja duh čovječji: ona istražuje sve do dna utrobe.
The Lord keeps watch over the spirit of man, searching all the deepest parts of the body.
28 Dobrota i vjernost čuvaju kralja, jer dobrotom utvrđuje prijestol svoj.
Mercy and good faith keep the king safe, and the seat of his power is based on upright acts.
29 Ljepota je mladićima njihova snaga, a starcima je ures sijeda kosa.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the honour of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Krvave masnice očiste zlo i udarci pročiste odaje utrobe.
By the wounds of the rod evil is taken away, and blows make clean the deepest parts of the body.
