Ordsprogene 16
1 Det staar til et Menneske, hvad han vil sætte sig for i Hjertet; men Tungens Svar er fra Herren.
2 Alle en Mands Veje ere rene for hans egne Øjne, men Herren er den, som vejer Aanderne.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Befal Herren dine Gerninger, saa skulle dine Anslag stadfæstes.
4 Herren har gjort al Ting efter dets Øjemed; ogsaa den ugudelige er til Ulykkens Dag.
5 Hver som er hovmodig i Hjertet, er Herren en Vederstyggelighed; man kan give sin Haand paa, at han ikke bliver agtet uskyldig.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 Ved Miskundhed og Sandhed udsones Misgerning; og ved Herrens Frygt viger man fra det onde.
7 Naar Herren har Velbehag i en Mands Veje, da gør han, at ogsaa hans Fjender holde Fred med ham.
8 Bedre er lidet med Retfærdighed end store Indtægter med Uret.
9 Menneskets Hjerte optænker sin Vej; men Herren stadfæster hans Gang.
10 Der er Guddoms Ord paa en Konges Læber, hans Mund maa ikke forsynde sig i Dom.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
11 Ret Vægt og rette Vægtskaaler høre Herren til, alle Vægtlodder i Posen ere hans Værk.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 Ugudeligheds Idræt er en Vederstyggelighed for Konger; thi ved Retfærdighed befæstes Tronen.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Retfærdigheds Læber ere Konger en Velbehagelighed; og den, som taler Oprigtighed, ham elsker han.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 Kongens Vrede er Dødens Bud; men en viis Mand forsoner den.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 I Kongens Ansigts Lys er Livet, og hans Bevaagenhed er som en Sky med sildig Regn.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 At købe Visdom, hvor meget bedre er det end Guld? og at købe Forstand at foretrække for Sølv?
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 De oprigtiges slagne Vej er at vige fra det onde; hvo der vil bevare sin Sjæl, maa vare paa sin Vej.
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Foran tindergang er Hovmod, og foran Fald gaar Stolthed.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Det er bedre at være ydmyg i Aanden med de elendige end at dele Bytte med de hovmodige.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 Hvo som giver Agt paa Ordet, skal finde godt; og den, som forlader sig paa Herren, han er lyksalig.
[He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 Den, som er viis i Hjertet, skal kaldes forstandig, og Læbernes Sødme forøger Lærdom.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Klogskab er for den, som ejer den, Livets Kilde; men Daarers Tugt er Taabelighed.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 Den vises Hjerte gør hans Mund forstandig og lægger end mere Lærdom paa hans Læber.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Liflige Taler ere Honningkage, sød for Sjælen og Lægedom for Benene.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 Der er en Vej, som synes en Mand ret; men til sidst bliver den Vej til Døden.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
26 Arbejderens Hunger arbejder for ham; thi hans Mund driver paa ham.
A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 En nedrig Mand bereder Ulykke, og paa hans Læber er der som en brændende Ild.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 En forvendt Mand kommer Trætte af Sted, og en Bagvadsker fjerner en fortrolig.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 En Voldsmand bedaarer sin Næste og fører ham paa en Vej, som ikke er god.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 Hvo der lukker sine Øjne for at optænke forvendte Ting, og hvo som bider sine Læber sammen, har alt fuldbragt det onde.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 Graa Haar er en dejlig Krone, naar de findes paa Retfærdigheds Vej.
Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 Den langmodige er bedre end den vældige, og den, som hersker over sin Aand, er bedre end den, der indtager en Stad.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 Lodden kastes i Skødet; men den falder, alt som Herren vil.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
