Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
