Ordsprogene 31
1 Lemuels, en Konges, Ord; et varslende Ord, hvormed hans Moder underviste ham.
The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
2 Hvad? min Søn! og hvad? mit Livs Søn! og hvad? mine Løfters Søn!
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Giv ikke Kvinderne din Kraft, og giv dig ikke ind paa en Vej, der ødelægger Konger.
Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them 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, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
5 at han ikke skal drikke og glemme det, som er Lov, og forvende alle elendige Folks Ret.
Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
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 him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered 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, his wearying toil, let him remember no more.
8 Oplad din Mund for den stumme til alle forladte Børns Ret.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.
9 Oplad din Mund, døm Retfærdighed, og skaf den elendige og fattige Ret!
Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? hun er langt mere værd end Perler.
A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
11 Hendes Mands Hjerte forlader sig paa hende, og Indtægt mangler ikke.
The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt i alle sit Livs Dage.
She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:
13 Hun søger efter Uld og Hør og arbejder gerne med sine Hænder.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
14 Hun er ligesom en Købmands Skibe, hun lader sit Brød komme langvejs fra.
She is like the ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
15 Og hun staar op, medens det endnu er Nat, og giver sit Hus Mad og sine Piger deres bestemte Arbejde.
And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
16 Hun tænker paa Agerland og faar det; af sine Hænders Frugt planter hun en Vingaard.
She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
17 Hun omgjorder sine Lænder med Kraft og gør sine Arme stærke.
She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
18 Hun skønner, at hendes Handel er god; hendes Lampe slukkes ikke om Natten.
She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
19 Hun udstrækker sine Hænder til Rokken, og hendes Hænder tage fat paa Tenen.
Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
20 Hun udbreder sin Haand til den elendige og udstrækker sine Hænder til den fattige.
Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
21 Hun frygter ikke for sit Hus, naar der er Sne; thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i karmesinrødt Tøj.
She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:
22 Hun gør sig Tæpper; fint Linned og Purpur er hendes Klædning.
Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
23 Hendes Mand er navnkundig i Portene, naar han sidder sammen med de ældste i Landet.
Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
24 Hun gør kosteligt Linklæde og sælger det og bringer Købmanden Bælter til Salgs.
Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
25 Kraft og Herlighed er hendes Klædebon, og hun ler ad den kommende Tid.
Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
26 Hun oplader sin Mund med Visdom, og Kærligheds Lov er paa hendes Tunge.
Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
27 Hun ser efter, hvorledes det gaar til i hendes Hus, og æder ikke Ladheds Brød.
She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
28 Hendes Sønner staa op og prise hende; hendes Husbond roser hende ogsaa:
Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
29 „Mange Døtre forhverve Formue; men du staar over dem alle sammen‟.
Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
30 Yndighed er Bedrag, og Skønhed er Forfængelighed; men en Kvinde, som frygter Herren, hun skal roses.
Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
31 Giver hende af hendes Hænders Frugt, og hendes Gerninger skulle prise hende i Portene.
Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
