Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger sin egen Lyst; han vælter sig ind paa alt det, som staar fast.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Daaren har ikke Behag i Forstand, men deri, at hans Hjerte aabenbarer sig.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 Naar en ugudelig kommer, kommer ogsaa Foragt og med Skammen Forhaanelse.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 Ord i en Mands Mund ere dybe Vande, en sprudlende Bæk, Visdoms Kilde.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Det er ikke godt at anse den ugudeliges Person, at gøre en retfærdig Uret i Dommen.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 Daarens Læber blande sig i Trætte, og hans Mund raaber efter Slag.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 Daarens Mund er en Fordærvelse for ham selv, og hans Læber ere en Snare for hans Sjæl.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 En Bagvadskers Ord lyde som Skæmt, dog trænge de ind i inderste Bug.
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 Ogsaa den, som er efterladen i sin Gerning, er Broder til den, som er en Ødeland.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 Herrens Navn er et fast Taarn, den retfærdige løber til det og bliver beskyttet.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad og som en høj Mur i hans egen Tanke.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Foran Undergang hovmoder en Mands Hjerte sig; og foran Ære gaar Ydmyghed.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Naar nogen giver Svar, før han hører, er det ham en Daarskab og Skam.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 En Mands Mod opholder ham i hans Sygdom; men naar Modet er nedslaaet, hvo kan bære det?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte køber Kundskab, og de vises Øre søger efter Kundskab.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 Et Menneskes Gave gør Rum for ham og fører ham frem for store Herrer.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 Den, som er den første i sin Trætte, synes at have Ret; men hans Modpart kommer og prøver ham.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Lodden gør, at Trætter ophøre, og den gør Skel imellem de mægtige.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 En Broder er mere genstridig end en fast Stad, og Trætter med ham ere som Stænger for et Palads.
A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 En Mands Bug skal mættes af hans Munds Frugt, han skal mættes af sine Læbers Frembringelser.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
21 Død og Liv ere i Tungens Vold, og hvo den elsker, skal æde dens Frugt.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Hvo der har fundet en Hustru, har fundet en god Ting og bekommer en Velbehagelighed af Herren.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 Den fattige taler med ydmyg Bøn; men en rig svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 En Mand med mange Venner vil finde sig ilde stedt; men der er den Ven, som hænger fastere ved end en Broder.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
