Mudre Izreke 21
1 Kraljevo je srce u ruci Jahve kao voda tekućica; vodi ga kuda god hoće.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.
2 Svaki je put čovjeku pravedan u vlastitim očima, a Jahve ispituje srca.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 Da se vrši pravda i čini pravo, draže je Jahvi nego žrtva.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 Ponosite oči i oholo srce i svjetiljka opakih - to je grijeh.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 Namisli marljivoga samo su na korist, a nagloga samo na siromaštvo.
6 Blago stečeno jezikom lažljivim nestalna je ispraznost onih koji traže smrt.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 Opake će odnijeti nasilje njihovo jer ne žele činiti pravice.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 Zapleten je put zločinca, a pravo je djelo čista čovjeka.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
9 Bolje je živjeti pod rubom krova nego u zajedničkoj kući sa ženom svadljivom.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 Duša opakoga želi zlo: u njega nema samilosti ni za bližnjega.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 Kad se podsmjevač kazni, neiskusan postaje mudar, a mudri iz pouke crpe znanje.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 Na kuću opakoga pazi Svepravedni i opake strovaljuje u nesreću.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Tko zatvori uho svoje pred vikom siromaha, i sam će vikati, ali ga neće nitko uslišati.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 Potajan dar utišava srdžbu, a poklon ispod ruke i žestoku jarost.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 Sud pravičan radost je pravedniku a užas zločincima.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 Čovjek koji skreće s puta razbora počivat će u zboru mrtvačkom.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 Tko ljubi veselje, postaje siromah, i tko ljubi vino i mirisno ulje, ne obogati se.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 Opak čovjek otkup je za pravednika, i bezbožnik stupa na mjesto pravednog.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 Bolje je živjeti u pustinji nego sa ženom svadljivom i gnjevljivom.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 Krasno je blago i ulje u stanu mudroga, a bezuman ih čovjek rasipa.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 Tko teži za pravdom i dobrohotnošću, nalazi život i čast.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 Mudrac nadvladava i grad pun ratnika i krši silu u koju su se uzdali.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Tko čuva usta i jezik svoj, čuva sebe od nevolje.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Drzovitom i oholici ime je “podsmjevač”; on sve radi s prekomjernom drskošću.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 Lijenčinu ubija želja njegova jer mu ruke bježe od posla.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 Opak po cio dan živo želi, a pravednik daje i ne škrtari.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 Mrska je žrtva opakih, osobito kad se požudno prinosi.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 Lažljiv svjedok propada, a čovjek koji sluša, opet će govoriti.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 Opaki pokazuju drsko lice, a poštenjak učvršćuje put svoj.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 Nema mudrosti i nema razuma i nema savjeta protiv Jahve.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
31 Konj se oprema za dan boja, ali Jahve daje pobjedu.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
