Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be 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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
