Ordsprogene 20
1 En Spotter er Vinen, stærk Drik slaar sig løs, og ingen, som raver deraf, er viis.
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 Som Løvebrøl er Rædslen, en Konge vækker, at vække hans Vrede er at vove sit Liv.
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 Mands Ære er det at undgaa Trætte, men alle Taaber vil Strid.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 Om Efteraaret pløjer den lade ikke, han søger i Høst, men finder intet.
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Raad i Mands Hjerte er dybe Vande, men Mand med Indsigt drager det op.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Mangen kaldes en velvillig Mand, men hvem kan finde en trofast Mand?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 Retfærdig er den, som lydefrit vandrer, hans Sønner faar Lykke efter ham.
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 Kongen, der sidder i Dommersædet, sigter alt ondt med sit Blik.
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Hvo kan sige: »Jeg rensed mit Hjerte, og jeg er ren for Synd!«
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Maal, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Selv Drengen kendes paa det, han gør, om han er ren og ret hans Færd.
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 Øret, der hører, og Øjet, der ser, HERREN skabte dem begge.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: the Lord has made them both.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ej bliver fattig, luk Øjnene op og bliv mæt.
Do not love sleep, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 Køberen siger: »Usselt, usselt!« men skryder af Handelen, naar han gaar bort.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 Har man end Guld og Perler i Mængde, kosteligst Smykke er Kundskabslæber.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Tag hans Klæder, han borged for en anden, pant ham for fremmedes Skyld!
Take away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 Sødt smager Løgnens Brød, bagefter fyldes Munden med Grus.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Planer, der lægges ved Raadslagning, lykkes; før Krig efter modent Overlæg!
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Bagtaleren røber, hvad ham er betroet, hav ej med en aabenmundet at gøre!
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Den, der bander Fader og Moder, i Bælgmørke gaar hans Lampe ud.
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 Først haster man efter en Arv, men til sidst velsignes den ikke.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Sig ikke: »Ondt vil jeg gengælde!« Bi paa HERREN, saa hjælper han dig.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 To Slags Lodder er HERREN en Gru, det er ikke godt, at Vægten er falsk.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 Fra HERREN er Mands Fjed, hvor kan et Menneske fatte sin Skæbne!
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to understand his own way?
25 Det er farligt at sige tankeløst: »Helligt!« og først efter Løftet tænke sig om.
It is ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 Viis Konge sigter de gudløse, lader Tærskehjul gaa over dem.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway over them.
27 Menneskets Aand er en HERRENS Lampe, den ransager alle hans Indres Kamre.
The spirit of a man is a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Godhed og Troskab vogter Kongen, han støtter sin Trone ved Retfærd.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Unges Stolthed er deres Styrke, gamles Smykke er graanet Haar.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Blodige Strimer renser den onde og Hug hans Indres Kamre.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
