Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
21 Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
