Mudre Izreke 24
1 Ne zavidi opakim ljudima niti želi da budeš s njima.
[My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
2 Jer im srce smišlja nasilje i usne govore o nedjelu.
For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
3 Mudrošću se zida kuća i razborom utvrđuje,
A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
4 i po znanju se pune klijeti svakim blagom dragocjenim i ljupkim.
By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
5 Bolji je mudar od jakoga i čovjek razuman od silne ljudine.
A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
6 Jer s promišljanjem se ide u boj i pobjeda je u mnoštvu savjetnika.
War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
7 Previsoka je bezumnomu mudrost: zato na sudu ne otvara usta svojih!
Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
8 Tko smišlja zlo zove se učitelj podmukli.
but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
9 Ludost samo grijeh snuje, i podrugljivac je mrzak ljudima.
The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
10 Kloneš li u dan bijede, bijedna je tvoja snaga.
He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
11 Izbavi one koje vode u smrt; i spasavaj one koji posrćući idu na stratište.
Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
12 Ako kažeš: “Nismo za to znali”, ne razumije li onaj koji ispituje srca? I ne znade li onaj koji ti čuva dušu? I ne plaća li on svakomu po njegovim djelima?
But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
13 Jedi med, sine moj, jer je dobar, i saće je slatko nepcu tvome.
[My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
14 Takva je, znaj, i mudrost tvojoj duši: ako je nađeš, našao si budućnost i nada tvoja neće propasti.
Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.
15 Ne postavljaj, opaki, zasjede stanu pravednikovu, ne čini nasilja boravištu njegovu;
Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
16 jer padne li pravednik i sedam puta, on ustaje, a opaki propadaju u nesreći.
For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
17 Ne veseli se kad padne neprijatelj tvoj i ne kliči srcem kada on posrće,
If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
18 da ne bi vidio Jahve i za zlo uzeo i obratio srdžbu svoju od njega.
For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
19 Nemoj se srditi zbog zločinaca, nemoj zavidjeti opakima,
Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
20 jer zao čovjek nema budućnosti, svjetiljka opakih gasi se.
For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Boj se Jahve, sine moj, i kralja: i ne buni se ni protiv jednoga ni protiv drugoga.
[My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
22 Jer iznenada provaljuje nesreća njihova i tko zna kad će doći propast njihova.
For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
23 I ovo je od mudraca: Ne valja biti pristran na sudu.
And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.
24 Tko opakomu veli: “Pravedan si”, proklinju ga narodi i kunu puci;
He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.
25 a oni koji ga ukore nalaze zadovoljstvo, i na njih dolazi blagoslov sreće.
But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
26 U usta ljubi tko odgovara pošteno.
and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
27 Svrši svoj posao vani i uredi svoje polje, potom i kuću svoju zidaj.
Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
28 Ne svjedoči lažno na bližnjega svoga: zar ćeš varati usnama svojim?
Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
29 Ne reci: “Kako je on meni učinio, tako ću i ja njemu; platit ću tom čovjeku po djelu njegovu!”
Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
30 Prolazio sam mimo polje nekog lijenčine i mimo vinograd nekog luđaka,
A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
31 i gle, sve bijaše zaraslo u koprive, i sve pokrio čkalj, i kamena ograda porušena.
If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
32 Vidjeh to i pohranih u srcu, promotrih i uzeh pouku:
Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
33 “Još malo odspavaj, još malo odrijemaj, još malo podvij ruke za počinak,
[The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
34 i doći će tvoje siromaštvo kao skitač i oskudica kao oružanik!”
But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
