Ordsprogene 16
1 Hjertets Raad er Menneskets sag. Tungens Svar er fra HERREN.
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 En Mand holder al sin Færd for ren, men HERREN vejer Aander.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Vælt dine Gerninger paa HERREN, saa skal dine Planer lykkes.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 Alt skabte HERREN, hvert til sit, den gudløse ogsaa for Ulykkens Dag.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Hver hovmodig er HERREN en Gru, visselig slipper han ikke for Straf.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 Ved Mildhed og Troskab sones Brøde, ved HERRENS Frygt undviger man ondt.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 Naar HERREN har Behag i et Menneskes Veje, gør han endog hans Fjender til Venner.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Bedre er lidet med Retfærd end megen Vinding med Uret.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 Menneskets Hjerte udtænker hans Vej, men HERREN styrer hans Fjed.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 Der er Gudsdom paa Kongens Læber, ej fejler hans Mund, naar han dømmer.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Ret Bismer og Vægtskaal er HERRENS, hans Værk er alle Posens Lodder.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 Gudløs Færd er Konger en Gru, thi ved Retfærd grundfæstes Tronen.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Retfærdige Læber har Kongens Yndest, han elsker den, der taler oprigtigt.
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 Kongens Vrede er Dødens Bud, Vismand evner at mildne den.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 I Kongens Aasyns Lys er der Liv, som Vaarregnens Sky er hans Yndest.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 At vinde Visdom er bedre end Guld, at vinde Indsigt mere end Sølv.
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 De retsindiges Vej er at vige fra ondt; den vogter sit Liv, som agter paa sin Vej.
The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Overmod forud for Snublen.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 Hellere sagtmodig med ydmyge end dele Bytte med stolte.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 Vel gaar det den, der mærker sig Ordet; lykkelig den, der stoler paa HERREN.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 Den vise kaldes forstandig, Læbernes Sødme øger Viden.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Kløgt er sin Mand en Livsens Kilde, Daarskab er Daarers Tugt.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 Den vises Hjerte giver Munden Kløgt, paa Læberne lægger det øget Viden.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Hulde Ord er som flydende Honning, søde for Sjælen og sunde for Legemet.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 Mangen Vej synes Manden ret, og saa er dens Ende dog Dødens Veje.
There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 En Arbejders Hunger arbejder for ham, thi Mundens Krav driver paa ham.
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 En Nidding graver Ulykkesgrave, det er, som brændte der Ild paa hans Læber.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 Rænkefuld Mand sætter Splid; den, der bagtaler, skiller Venner.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 Voldsmand lokker sin Næste og fører ham en Vej, der ikke er god.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
30 Den, der stirrer, har Rænker for; knibes Læberne sammen, har man fuldbyrdet ondt.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Graa Haar er en dejlig Krone, den vindes paa Retfærds Vej.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Større end Helt er sindig Mand, større at styre sit Sind end at tage en Stad.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 I Brystfolden rystes Loddet, det falder, som HERREN vil.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
