Ordsprogene 20
1 Vin er en Spotter, stærk Drik en Larmer, og hver som raver deraf, bliver ikke viis.
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 Den Forfærdelse, en Konge vækker, er som en ung Løves Brølen; den, som fortørner ham, synder imod sit Liv.
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 Det er en Ære for en Mand at blive fra Trætte, men hver Daare vælter sig ind i den.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 Fordi det er Vinter, vil den lade ikke pløje; om Høsten vil han søge, og der er intet.
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Raad i en Mands Hjerte er dybt Vand, men en forstandig Mand drager det op.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Mange Mennesker udraabe hver sin Kærlighed; men hvo finder en trofast Mand?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 Den, som vandrer frem i sin Oprigtighed, er retfærdig; lyksalige ere hans Børn efter ham.
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 En Konge, som sidder paa Domstolen, udskiller alle onde med sine Øjne.
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Hvo kan sige: Jeg har renset mit Hjerte; jeg er ren for min Synd?
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Efa, de ere begge en Vederstyggelighed for Herren.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Ogsaa af sine Gerninger kendes den unge, om han er ren, og om hans Gerning er ret.
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 Et Øre, som hører, og et Øje, som ser, ogsaa dem begge har Herren gjort.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ikke skal blive fattig; slaa dine Øjne op, saa skal du mættes af Brød.
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 Det er slet! det er slet! siger Køberen; men naar han gaar bort, da roser han sig.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 Der er Guld og mange Perler til; men Kundskabs Læber ere et dyrebart Kar.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Naar en gaar i Borgen for en fremmed, saa tag hans Klæder; og tag Pant af ham, naar det er for den ubekendte.
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 Brød, tjent ved Bedrag, smager en Mand vel; men siden bliver hans Mund fuld af Grus.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Beslutninger efter Raadslagning bestaa; før da Krig efter fornuftig Ledelse!
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Den, der gaar om som en Bagvadsker, aabenbarer Hemmeligheder; og indlad dig ikke med den, som er aabenmundet.
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Hvo som bander sin Fader eller sin Moder, hans Lampe skal udslukkes midt i Mørket.
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 Den Arv, som man i Førstningen higer efter, den skal ikke velsignes paa det sidste.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Sig ikke: Jeg vil betale ondt; bi efter Herren, og han skal frelse dig.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 To Slags Vægt er en Vederstyggelighed for Herren, og falske Vægtskaaler ere ikke gode.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 En Mands Gang er at Herren, og hvad forstaar et Menneske sig paa sin Vej?
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 Det er Mennesket en Snare ubesindigt at sige: „Helligt!‟ og først efter Løfterne betænke det.
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 En viis Konge udskiller de ugudelige og lader Hjulet gaa over dem.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 Menneskens Aand er en Lampe fra Herren; den ransager alle Lønkamre i hans Indre.
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Miskundhed og Sandhed bevare en Konge, og han støtter sin Trone ved Miskundhed.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 En Pryd for de unge er deres Kraft, og et Smykke for de gamle ere de graa Haar.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 En Salvelse for den onde ere Striber af Saar og Slag, der trænge dybt ind i hans Krop.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
