Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger sin egen Lyst; han vælter sig ind paa alt det, som staar fast.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Daaren har ikke Behag i Forstand, men deri, at hans Hjerte aabenbarer sig.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 Naar en ugudelig kommer, kommer ogsaa Foragt og med Skammen Forhaanelse.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Ord i en Mands Mund ere dybe Vande, en sprudlende Bæk, Visdoms Kilde.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 Det er ikke godt at anse den ugudeliges Person, at gøre en retfærdig Uret i Dommen.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 Daarens Læber blande sig i Trætte, og hans Mund raaber efter Slag.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 Daarens Mund er en Fordærvelse for ham selv, og hans Læber ere en Snare for hans Sjæl.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 En Bagvadskers Ord lyde som Skæmt, dog trænge de ind i inderste Bug.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Ogsaa den, som er efterladen i sin Gerning, er Broder til den, som er en Ødeland.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 Herrens Navn er et fast Taarn, den retfærdige løber til det og bliver beskyttet.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad og som en høj Mur i hans egen Tanke.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Foran Undergang hovmoder en Mands Hjerte sig; og foran Ære gaar Ydmyghed.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Naar nogen giver Svar, før han hører, er det ham en Daarskab og Skam.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 En Mands Mod opholder ham i hans Sygdom; men naar Modet er nedslaaet, hvo kan bære det?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte køber Kundskab, og de vises Øre søger efter Kundskab.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 Et Menneskes Gave gør Rum for ham og fører ham frem for store Herrer.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Den, som er den første i sin Trætte, synes at have Ret; men hans Modpart kommer og prøver ham.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Lodden gør, at Trætter ophøre, og den gør Skel imellem de mægtige.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 En Broder er mere genstridig end en fast Stad, og Trætter med ham ere som Stænger for et Palads.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 En Mands Bug skal mættes af hans Munds Frugt, han skal mættes af sine Læbers Frembringelser.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Død og Liv ere i Tungens Vold, og hvo den elsker, skal æde dens Frugt.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Hvo der har fundet en Hustru, har fundet en god Ting og bekommer en Velbehagelighed af Herren.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Den fattige taler med ydmyg Bøn; men en rig svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 En Mand med mange Venner vil finde sig ilde stedt; men der er den Ven, som hænger fastere ved end en Broder.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
