Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When the wicked cometh, [then] 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 as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing 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 overthrow 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 strokes.
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 talebearer [are] as wounds, 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 that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the LORD [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 an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
The heart of the prudent 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 [their] 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
