Ordsprogene 17
1 Bedre en tør Bid Brød med fred end Huset fuldt af Sul med Trætte.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Klog Træl bliver Herre over daarlig Søn og faar lod og del mellem Brødre.
A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Digel til Sølv og Ovn til Guld, men den, der prøver Hjerter, er HERREN.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 Den onde hører paa onde Læber, Løgneren lytter til giftige Tunger.
An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Hvo Fattigmand spotter, haaner hans Skaber, den skadefro slipper ikke for Straf.
He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 De gamles Krone er Børnebørn, Sønners Stolthed er Fædre.
Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
7 Ypperlig Tale er ej for en Daare, end mindre da Løgn for den, som er ædel.
Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
8 Som en Troldsten er Gave i Giverens Øjne; hvorhen den end vender sig, gør den sin Virkning.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 Den, der dølger en Synd, søger Venskab, men den, der ripper op i en Sag, skiller Venner.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
10 Bedre virker Skænd paa forstandig end hundrede Slag paa en Taabe.
A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Den onde har kun Genstridighed for, men et skaanselsløst Bud er udsendt imod ham.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Man kan møde en Bjørn, hvis Unger er taget, men ikke en Taabe udi hans Daarskab.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Den, der gengælder godt med ondt, fra hans Hus skal Vanheld ej vige.
He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 At yppe Strid er at aabne for Vand, hold derfor inde, før Strid bryder løs.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 At frikende skyldig og dømme uskyldig, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Hvad hjælper Penge i Taabens Haand til at købe ham Visdom, naar Viddet mangler?
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Ven viser Kærlighed naar som helst, Broder fødes til Hjælp i Nød.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Mand uden Vid giver Haandslag og gaar i Borgen for Næsten.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Ven af Kiv er Ven af Synd; at højne sin Dør er at attraa Fald.
He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
20 Ej finder man Lykke, naar Hjertet er vrangt, man falder i Vaade, naar Tungen er falsk.
He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21 Den, der avler en Taabe, faar Sorg, Daarens Fader er ikke glad.
He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 Glad Hjerte er godt for Legemet, nedslaaet Sind suger Marv af Benene.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 Den gudløse tager Gave i Løn for at bøje Rettens Gænge.
A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Visdom staar den forstandige for Øje, Taabens Blik er ved Jordens Ende.
Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Taabelig Søn er sin Faders Sorg, Kvide for hende, som fødte ham.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 At straffe den, der har Ret, er ilde, værre endnu at slaa de ædle.
Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
27 Den, som har Kundskab tøjler sin Tale, Mand med Forstand er koldblodig.
He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Selv Daaren, der tier, gælder for viis, forstandig er den, der lukker sine Læber.
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
