Ordsprogene 20
1 Vin er en Spotter, stærk Drik en Larmer, og hver som raver deraf, bliver ikke viis.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is noisy; and whosoever indulgeth therein will never be wise.
2 Den Forfærdelse, en Konge vækker, er som en ung Løves Brølen; den, som fortørner ham, synder imod sit Liv.
Like the roaring of a young lion is the dread of a king: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 Det er en Ære for en Mand at blive fra Trætte, men hver Daare vælter sig ind i den.
It is an honor for a man to cease from a contest; but every fool enrageth himself.
4 Fordi det er Vinter, vil den lade ikke pløje; om Høsten vil han søge, og der er intet.
Because it is winter's cold, will the sluggard not plough: when he therefore seeketh in the harvest time, there will be nothing.
5 Raad i en Mands Hjerte er dybt Vand, men en forstandig Mand drager det op.
Like deep water is counsel in the heart of man; but the man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Mange Mennesker udraabe hver sin Kærlighed; men hvo finder en trofast Mand?
Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; but who can find a faithful man?
7 Den, som vandrer frem i sin Oprigtighed, er retfærdig; lyksalige ere hans Børn efter ham.
The righteous walketh in his integrity: happy will be his children after him.
8 En Konge, som sidder paa Domstolen, udskiller alle onde med sine Øjne.
A king that sitteth on the throne of justice scattereth away with his eyes all evil.
9 Hvo kan sige: Jeg har renset mit Hjerte; jeg er ren for min Synd?
Who can say, I have made my heart pure, I am cleansed from my sin.
10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Efa, de ere begge en Vederstyggelighed for Herren.
Divers weights, and divers measures, are both of them alike an abomination of the Lord.
11 Ogsaa af sine Gerninger kendes den unge, om han er ren, og om hans Gerning er ret.
Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work will be pure, and whether it will be upright.
12 Et Øre, som hører, og et Øje, som ser, ogsaa dem begge har Herren gjort.
The ear that heareth, and the eye that seeth, the Lord hath made both of them alike.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ikke skal blive fattig; slaa dine Øjne op, saa skal du mættes af Brød.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thy eyes, so wilt thou 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, saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then doth he boast.
15 Der er Guld og mange Perler til; men Kundskabs Læber ere et dyrebart Kar.
There is gold, and a multitude of pearls; but a precious vessel are the lips of knowledge.
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 his garment, because he hath become surety for a stranger; and on account of a strange woman take a pledge from him.
17 Brød, tjent ved Bedrag, smager en Mand vel; men siden bliver hans Mund fuld af Grus.
Bread of falsehood is pleasant to a man; but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel-stones.
18 Beslutninger efter Raadslagning bestaa; før da Krig efter fornuftig Ledelse!
Plans are established by counsel; and with wise reflection conduct war.
19 Den, der gaar om som en Bagvadsker, aabenbarer Hemmeligheder; og indlad dig ikke med den, som er aabenmundet.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that enticeth with his lips.
20 Hvo som bander sin Fader eller sin Moder, hans Lampe skal udslukkes midt i Mørket.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother—his lamp shall be quenched in obscure darkness.
21 Den Arv, som man i Førstningen higer efter, den skal ikke velsignes paa det sidste.
An inheritance hastily gotten at the beginning will at its end not be blessed,
22 Sig ikke: Jeg vil betale ondt; bi efter Herren, og han skal frelse dig.
Do not say, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the Lord, and he will help thee.
23 To Slags Vægt er en Vederstyggelighed for Herren, og falske Vægtskaaler ere ikke gode.
Divers weights are an abomination of the Lord; and a deceitful balance is not good.
24 En Mands Gang er at Herren, og hvad forstaar et Menneske sig paa sin Vej?
From the Lord are the steps of man [ordained]; but man— how can he understand his own way?
25 Det er Mennesket en Snare ubesindigt at sige: „Helligt!‟ og først efter Løfterne betænke det.
It is a snare to a man to sanctify things hastily, and to make inquiry only after having made vows.
26 En viis Konge udskiller de ugudelige og lader Hjulet gaa over dem.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and turneth over them the threshing-wheel.
27 Menneskens Aand er en Lampe fra Herren; den ransager alle Lønkamre i hans Indre.
A lamp of the Lord is the soul of man, searching all the inner chambers of the body.
28 Miskundhed og Sandhed bevare en Konge, og han støtter sin Trone ved Miskundhed.
Kindness and truth will watch over a king, and he will prop up through kindness his throne.
29 En Pryd for de unge er deres Kraft, og et Smykke for de gamle ere de graa Haar.
The ornament of young men is their strength; and the glory of old men is a hoary head.
30 En Salvelse for den onde ere Striber af Saar og Slag, der trænge dybt ind i hans Krop.
The bruises of a wound are cleansing means for the bad, and stripes [will reach] the inner chambers of the body.
