Ordsprogene 16
1 Det staar til et Menneske, hvad han vil sætte sig for i Hjertet; men Tungens Svar er fra Herren.
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 Alle en Mands Veje ere rene for hans egne Øjne, men Herren er den, som vejer Aanderne.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Befal Herren dine Gerninger, saa skulle dine Anslag stadfæstes.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 Herren har gjort al Ting efter dets Øjemed; ogsaa den ugudelige er til Ulykkens Dag.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Hver som er hovmodig i Hjertet, er Herren en Vederstyggelighed; man kan give sin Haand paa, at han ikke bliver agtet uskyldig.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 Ved Miskundhed og Sandhed udsones Misgerning; og ved Herrens Frygt viger man fra det onde.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 Naar Herren har Velbehag i en Mands Veje, da gør han, at ogsaa hans Fjender holde Fred med ham.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Bedre er lidet med Retfærdighed end store Indtægter med Uret.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 Menneskets Hjerte optænker sin Vej; men Herren stadfæster hans Gang.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 Der er Guddoms Ord paa en Konges Læber, hans Mund maa ikke forsynde sig i Dom.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Ret Vægt og rette Vægtskaaler høre Herren til, alle Vægtlodder i Posen ere hans Værk.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 Ugudeligheds Idræt er en Vederstyggelighed for Konger; thi ved Retfærdighed befæstes Tronen.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Retfærdigheds Læber ere Konger en Velbehagelighed; og den, som taler Oprigtighed, ham elsker han.
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 Kongens Vrede er Dødens Bud; men en viis Mand forsoner den.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 I Kongens Ansigts Lys er Livet, og hans Bevaagenhed er som en Sky med sildig Regn.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 At købe Visdom, hvor meget bedre er det end Guld? og at købe Forstand at foretrække for Sølv?
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious 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 path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Foran tindergang er Hovmod, og foran Fald gaar Stolthed.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 Det er bedre at være ydmyg i Aanden med de elendige end at dele Bytte med de hovmodige.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 Hvo som giver Agt paa Ordet, skal finde godt; og den, som forlader sig paa Herren, han er lyksalig.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 Den, som er viis i Hjertet, skal kaldes forstandig, og Læbernes Sødme forøger Lærdom.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Klogskab er for den, som ejer den, Livets Kilde; men Daarers Tugt er Taabelighed.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 Den vises Hjerte gør hans Mund forstandig og lægger end mere Lærdom paa hans Læber.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Liflige Taler ere Honningkage, sød for Sjælen og Lægedom for Benene.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 Der er en Vej, som synes en Mand ret; men til sidst bliver den Vej til Døden.
There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 Arbejderens Hunger arbejder for ham; thi hans Mund driver paa ham.
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 En nedrig Mand bereder Ulykke, og paa hans Læber er der som en brændende Ild.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 En forvendt Mand kommer Trætte af Sted, og en Bagvadsker fjerner en fortrolig.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 En Voldsmand bedaarer sin Næste og fører ham paa en Vej, som ikke er god.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is 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.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Graa Haar er en dejlig Krone, naar de findes paa Retfærdigheds Vej.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Den langmodige er bedre end den vældige, og den, som hersker over sin Aand, er bedre end den, der indtager en Stad.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 Lodden kastes i Skødet; men den falder, alt som Herren vil.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
