Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
The wicked man when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.
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 decline from the truth of judgment.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
He that answereth before he heareth sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill 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: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
