Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger sin egen Lyst; han vælter sig ind paa alt det, som staar fast.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 Daaren har ikke Behag i Forstand, men deri, at hans Hjerte aabenbarer sig.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 Naar en ugudelig kommer, kommer ogsaa Foragt og med Skammen Forhaanelse.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Ord i en Mands Mund ere dybe Vande, en sprudlende Bæk, Visdoms Kilde.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Det er ikke godt at anse den ugudeliges Person, at gøre en retfærdig Uret i Dommen.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 Daarens Læber blande sig i Trætte, og hans Mund raaber efter Slag.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Daarens Mund er en Fordærvelse for ham selv, og hans Læber ere en Snare for hans Sjæl.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 En Bagvadskers Ord lyde som Skæmt, dog trænge de ind i inderste Bug.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Ogsaa den, som er efterladen i sin Gerning, er Broder til den, som er en Ødeland.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
10 Herrens Navn er et fast Taarn, den retfærdige løber til det og bliver beskyttet.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad og som en høj Mur i hans egen Tanke.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Foran Undergang hovmoder en Mands Hjerte sig; og foran Ære gaar Ydmyghed.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Naar nogen giver Svar, før han hører, er det ham en Daarskab og Skam.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 En Mands Mod opholder ham i hans Sygdom; men naar Modet er nedslaaet, hvo kan bære det?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte køber Kundskab, og de vises Øre søger efter Kundskab.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Et Menneskes Gave gør Rum for ham og fører ham frem for store Herrer.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 Den, som er den første i sin Trætte, synes at have Ret; men hans Modpart kommer og prøver ham.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Lodden gør, at Trætter ophøre, og den gør Skel imellem de mægtige.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 En Broder er mere genstridig end en fast Stad, og Trætter med ham ere som Stænger for et Palads.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
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 is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 Hvo der har fundet en Hustru, har fundet en god Ting og bekommer en Velbehagelighed af Herren.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 Den fattige taler med ydmyg Bøn; men en rig svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth 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's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
