Ordsprogene 31
1 Lemuels, en Konges, Ord; et varslende Ord, hvormed hans Moder underviste ham.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2 Hvad? min Søn! og hvad? mit Livs Søn! og hvad? mine Løfters Søn!
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Giv ikke Kvinderne din Kraft, og giv dig ikke ind paa en Vej, der ødelægger Konger.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Det bør ikke Konger, Lemuel! det bør ikke Konger at drikke Vin, ej heller Fyrster at drikke stærk Drik,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 at han ikke skal drikke og glemme det, som er Lov, og forvende alle elendige Folks Ret.
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Giver stærk Drik til den, som er ved at omkomme, og Vin til den, som er beskelig bedrøvet i Sjælen,
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 at han maa drikke og glemme sin Armod og ikke mere komme sin Møje i Hu.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Oplad din Mund for den stumme til alle forladte Børns Ret.
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 Oplad din Mund, døm Retfærdighed, og skaf den elendige og fattige Ret!
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? hun er langt mere værd end Perler.
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11 Hendes Mands Hjerte forlader sig paa hende, og Indtægt mangler ikke.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt i alle sit Livs Dage.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13 Hun søger efter Uld og Hør og arbejder gerne med sine Hænder.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 Hun er ligesom en Købmands Skibe, hun lader sit Brød komme langvejs fra.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 Og hun staar op, medens det endnu er Nat, og giver sit Hus Mad og sine Piger deres bestemte Arbejde.
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 Hun tænker paa Agerland og faar det; af sine Hænders Frugt planter hun en Vingaard.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 Hun omgjorder sine Lænder med Kraft og gør sine Arme stærke.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 Hun skønner, at hendes Handel er god; hendes Lampe slukkes ikke om Natten.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 Hun udstrækker sine Hænder til Rokken, og hendes Hænder tage fat paa Tenen.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 Hun udbreder sin Haand til den elendige og udstrækker sine Hænder til den fattige.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 Hun frygter ikke for sit Hus, naar der er Sne; thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i karmesinrødt Tøj.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 Hun gør sig Tæpper; fint Linned og Purpur er hendes Klædning.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Hendes Mand er navnkundig i Portene, naar han sidder sammen med de ældste i Landet.
Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Hun gør kosteligt Linklæde og sælger det og bringer Købmanden Bælter til Salgs.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 Kraft og Herlighed er hendes Klædebon, og hun ler ad den kommende Tid.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 Hun oplader sin Mund med Visdom, og Kærligheds Lov er paa hendes Tunge.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 Hun ser efter, hvorledes det gaar til i hendes Hus, og æder ikke Ladheds Brød.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Hendes Sønner staa op og prise hende; hendes Husbond roser hende ogsaa:
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29 „Mange Døtre forhverve Formue; men du staar over dem alle sammen”.
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Yndighed er Bedrag, og Skønhed er Forfængelighed; men en Kvinde, som frygter Herren, hun skal roses.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Giver hende af hendes Hænders Frugt, og hendes Gerninger skulle prise hende i Portene.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
