Prædikeren 10
1 Døde Fluer gør Salveblanderens Olie stinkende, lidt Daarskab ødelægger Visdommens Værd.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
2 Den vise har sin Forstand til højre, Taaben har sin til venstre,
A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Hvor Daaren end færdes, svigter hans Forstand, og han røber for alle, at han er en Daare.
Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Naar en Herskers Vrede rejser sig mod dig, forlad ikke derfor din Plads; thi Sagtmodighed hindrer store Synder.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.
5 Der er et Onde, jeg saa under Solen; det ser ud som et Misgreb af ham, som har Magten:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 Daarskab sættes i Højsædet, nederst sidder de rige.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Trælle saa jeg højt til Hest og Høvdinger til Fods som Trælle.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 Den, som graver en Grav, falder selv deri; den, som nedbryder en Mur, ham bider en Slange;
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 den, som bryder Sten, kan saare sig paa dem; den, som kløver Træ, er i Fare.
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 Naar Øksen er sløv og dens Æg ej hvæsses, maa Kraft lægges i; men den dygtiges Fortrin er Visdom.
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11 Bider en Slange, før den besværges, har Besværgeren ingen Gavn af sin Kunst.
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
12 Ord fra Vismands Mund vinder Yndest, en Daares Læber bringer ham Vaade;
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13 hans Tale begynder med Daarskab og ender med den værste Galskab.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Taaben bruger mange Ord. Ej ved Mennesket, hvad der skal ske; hvad der efter hans Død skal ske, hvo siger ham det?
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 Daarens Flid gør ham træt, thi end ikke til Bys ved han Vej.
The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
16 Ve dig, du Land, hvis Konge er en Dreng og hvis Fyrster holder Gilde ved Gry.
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
17 Held dig; du Land, hvis Konge er ædelbaaren, hvis Fyrster holder Gilde til sømmelig Tid som Mænd og ikke som Drankere.
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Ved Ladhed synker Bjælkelaget; naar Hænderne slappes, drypper det i Huset.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Til Morskab holder man Gæstebud, og Vin gør de levende glade; men Penge skaffer alt til Veje.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20 End ikke i din Tanke maa du bande en Konge, end ikke i dit Sovekammer en, som er rig; thi Himlens Fugle kan udsprede Ordet, de vingede røbe, hvad du siger.
Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
