Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger sin egen Lyst; han vælter sig ind paa alt det, som staar fast.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
2 Daaren har ikke Behag i Forstand, men deri, at hans Hjerte aabenbarer sig.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Naar en ugudelig kommer, kommer ogsaa Foragt og med Skammen Forhaanelse.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Ord i en Mands Mund ere dybe Vande, en sprudlende Bæk, Visdoms Kilde.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Det er ikke godt at anse den ugudeliges Person, at gøre en retfærdig Uret i Dommen.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Daarens Læber blande sig i Trætte, og hans Mund raaber efter Slag.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Daarens Mund er en Fordærvelse for ham selv, og hans Læber ere en Snare for hans Sjæl.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 En Bagvadskers Ord lyde som Skæmt, dog trænge de ind i inderste Bug.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Ogsaa den, som er efterladen i sin Gerning, er Broder til den, som er en Ødeland.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Herrens Navn er et fast Taarn, den retfærdige løber til det og bliver beskyttet.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
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 city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Foran Undergang hovmoder en Mands Hjerte sig; og foran Ære gaar Ydmyghed.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honour is humility.
13 Naar nogen giver Svar, før han hører, er det ham en Daarskab og Skam.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 En Mands Mod opholder ham i hans Sygdom; men naar Modet er nedslaaet, hvo kan bære det?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte køber Kundskab, og de vises Øre søger efter Kundskab.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Et Menneskes Gave gør Rum for ham og fører ham frem for store Herrer.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Den, som er den første i sin Trætte, synes at have Ret; men hans Modpart kommer og prøver ham.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Lodden gør, at Trætter ophøre, og den gør Skel imellem de mægtige.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 En Broder er mere genstridig end en fast Stad, og Trætter med ham ere som Stænger for et Palads.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 En Mands Bug skal mættes af hans Munds Frugt, han skal mættes af sine Læbers Frembringelser.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Hvo der har fundet en Hustru, har fundet en god Ting og bekommer en Velbehagelighed af Herren.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 Den fattige taler med ydmyg Bøn; men en rig svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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 of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
