Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
