Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sneen om Sommeren og som Regnen om Høsten saa passer Ære ikke for en Daare.
As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.
2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt saaledes vil en Forbandelse, som sker uden Aarsag, ikke træffe ind.
As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 En Svøbe er for Hesten og en Tømme for Asenet og et Ris for Daarers Ryg.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
4 Svar ej en Daare efter hans Taabelighed, at ikke ogsaa du skal blive ham lig.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.
5 Svar en Daare efter hans Taabelighed, at han ikke skal være viis i sine egne Øjne.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
6 Fødderne hugger den af sig, og Fortrædelighed maa den drikke, som sender Bud ved en Daare.
He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 Tager Benene fra den halte og Tankesproget bort, som er i Daarers Mund.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 Som den, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, saa er den, der giver en Daare Ære.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 Som en Tjørnekæp, der kommer i den druknes Haand, saa er Tankesproget i Daarers Mund.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 Som en Pil, der saarer alt, saa er den, der lejer en Daare, og den, der lejer vejfarende.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
11 Ligesom en Hund vender sig til sit eget Spy, saa er Daaren, som gentager sin Taabelighed.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Har du set en Mand, som er viis i sine egne Øjne, da er der mere Forhaabning om en Daare end om ham.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 Den lade siger: Der er en grum Løve paa Vejen, en Løve paa Gaderne.
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 Som Døren drejer sig om paa sine Hængsler, saa den lade paa sin Seng.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 Den lade stikker sin Haand i Fadet; det bliver ham besværligt at lade den komme til sin Mund igen.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 Den lade er visere i sine egne Øjne end syv, som svare forstandigt.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
17 Som den, der griber Hunden fat ved Ørene, saa er den, der gaar forbi og kommer i Vrede over en Trætte, der ikke kommer ham ved.
As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 Som en gal, der udkaster Gnister, Pile og Død,
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 saa er den Mand, der besviger sin Næste og siger: Skæmter jeg ikke?
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 Naar der intet Ved er mere, udslukkes Ilden; og naar der ingen Bagvadsker er, stilles Trætte.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 Kul til Gløder og Ved til Ild: Saa er en trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
22 En Bagvadskers Ord lyde som Skæmt, dog trænge de ind i inderste Bug.
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 Som et Potteskaar, der er overdraget med urent Sølv, saa ere brændende Læber og et ondt Hjerte.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 Den hadefulde forstiller sig med sine Læber, men inden i sig nærer han Svig.
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 Naar han gør sin Røst yndig, da tro ham ikke; thi der er syv Vederstyggeligheder i hans Hjerte.
Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Den, hvis Had er skjult ved Bedrag, hans Ondskab skal blive aabenbaret i Forsamlingen.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 Hvo som graver en Grav, skal selv falde i den; og hvo som vælter en Sten op, paa ham skal den falde tilbage.
He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 En falsk Tunge hader dem, som den har knust, og en glat Mund bereder Fald.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
