Ordsprogene 20
1 En Spotter er Vinen, stærk Drik slaar sig løs, og ingen, som raver deraf, er viis.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2 Som Løvebrøl er Rædslen, en Konge vækker, at vække hans Vrede er at vove sit Liv.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 Mands Ære er det at undgaa Trætte, men alle Taaber vil Strid.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 Om Efteraaret pløjer den lade ikke, han søger i Høst, men finder intet.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given 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 water: 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 shall find a faithful man?
7 Retfærdig er den, som lydefrit vandrer, hans Sønner faar Lykke efter ham.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 Kongen, der sidder i Dommersædet, sigter alt ondt med sit Blik.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Hvo kan sige: »Jeg rensed mit Hjerte, og jeg er ren for Synd!«
Who can 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 and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 Selv Drengen kendes paa det, han gør, om han er ren og ret hans Færd.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12 Øret, der hører, og Øjet, der ser, HERREN skabte dem begge.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ej bliver fattig, luk Øjnene op og bliv mæt.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 Køberen siger: »Usselt, usselt!« men skryder af Handelen, naar han gaar bort.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
15 Har man end Guld og Perler i Mængde, kosteligst Smykke er Kundskabslæber.
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Tag hans Klæder, han borged for en anden, pant ham for fremmedes Skyld!
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Sødt smager Løgnens Brød, bagefter fyldes Munden med Grus.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Planer, der lægges ved Raadslagning, lykkes; før Krig efter modent Overlæg!
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 Bagtaleren røber, hvad ham er betroet, hav ej med en aabenmundet at gøre!
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 Den, der bander Fader og Moder, i Bælgmørke gaar hans Lampe ud.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 Først haster man efter en Arv, men til sidst velsignes den ikke.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Sig ikke: »Ondt vil jeg gengælde!« Bi paa HERREN, saa hjælper han dig.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 To Slags Lodder er HERREN en Gru, det er ikke godt, at Vægten er falsk.
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24 Fra HERREN er Mands Fjed, hvor kan et Menneske fatte sin Skæbne!
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
25 Det er farligt at sige tankeløst: »Helligt!« og først efter Løftet tænke sig om.
It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 Viis Konge sigter de gudløse, lader Tærskehjul gaa over dem.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27 Menneskets Aand er en HERRENS Lampe, den ransager alle hans Indres Kamre.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Godhed og Troskab vogter Kongen, han støtter sin Trone ved Retfærd.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Unges Stolthed er deres Styrke, gamles Smykke er graanet Haar.
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 Blodige Strimer renser den onde og Hug hans Indres Kamre.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
