Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
A fool's mouth is destruction to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth 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 honour [goeth] humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 contentions are as the bars of a palace.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he 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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
