Ordsprogene 17
1 Bedre en tør Bid Brød med fred end Huset fuldt af Sul med Trætte.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 Klog Træl bliver Herre over daarlig Søn og faar lod og del mellem Brødre.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 Digel til Sølv og Ovn til Guld, men den, der prøver Hjerter, er HERREN.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 Den onde hører paa onde Læber, Løgneren lytter til giftige Tunger.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Hvo Fattigmand spotter, haaner hans Skaber, den skadefro slipper ikke for Straf.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 De gamles Krone er Børnebørn, Sønners Stolthed er Fædre.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Ypperlig Tale er ej for en Daare, end mindre da Løgn for den, som er ædel.
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 Som en Troldsten er Gave i Giverens Øjne; hvorhen den end vender sig, gør den sin Virkning.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 Den, der dølger en Synd, søger Venskab, men den, der ripper op i en Sag, skiller Venner.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 Bedre virker Skænd paa forstandig end hundrede Slag paa en Taabe.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 Den onde har kun Genstridighed for, men et skaanselsløst Bud er udsendt imod ham.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Man kan møde en Bjørn, hvis Unger er taget, men ikke en Taabe udi hans Daarskab.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Den, der gengælder godt med ondt, fra hans Hus skal Vanheld ej vige.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 At yppe Strid er at aabne for Vand, hold derfor inde, før Strid bryder løs.
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 At frikende skyldig og dømme uskyldig, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Hvad hjælper Penge i Taabens Haand til at købe ham Visdom, naar Viddet mangler?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 Ven viser Kærlighed naar som helst, Broder fødes til Hjælp i Nød.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 Mand uden Vid giver Haandslag og gaar i Borgen for Næsten.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 Ven af Kiv er Ven af Synd; at højne sin Dør er at attraa Fald.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 Ej finder man Lykke, naar Hjertet er vrangt, man falder i Vaade, naar Tungen er falsk.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 Den, der avler en Taabe, faar Sorg, Daarens Fader er ikke glad.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 Glad Hjerte er godt for Legemet, nedslaaet Sind suger Marv af Benene.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 Den gudløse tager Gave i Løn for at bøje Rettens Gænge.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Visdom staar den forstandige for Øje, Taabens Blik er ved Jordens Ende.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 Taabelig Søn er sin Faders Sorg, Kvide for hende, som fødte ham.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 At straffe den, der har Ret, er ilde, værre endnu at slaa de ædle.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 Den, som har Kundskab tøjler sin Tale, Mand med Forstand er koldblodig.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Selv Daaren, der tier, gælder for viis, forstandig er den, der lukker sine Læber.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
