Ordsprogene 20
1 En Spotter er Vinen, stærk Drik slaar sig løs, og ingen, som raver deraf, er viis.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
2 Som Løvebrøl er Rædslen, en Konge vækker, at vække hans Vrede er at vove sit Liv.
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
3 Mands Ære er det at undgaa Trætte, men alle Taaber vil Strid.
It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
4 Om Efteraaret pløjer den lade ikke, han søger i Høst, men finder intet.
The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Raad i Mands Hjerte er dybe Vande, men Mand med Indsigt drager det op.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Mangen kaldes en velvillig Mand, men hvem kan finde en trofast Mand?
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
7 Retfærdig er den, som lydefrit vandrer, hans Sønner faar Lykke efter ham.
He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
8 Kongen, der sidder i Dommersædet, sigter alt ondt med sit Blik.
A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Hvo kan sige: »Jeg rensed mit Hjerte, og jeg er ren for Synd!«
Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Maal, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Selv Drengen kendes paa det, han gør, om han er ren og ret hans Færd.
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 Øret, der hører, og Øjet, der ser, HERREN skabte dem begge.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ej bliver fattig, luk Øjnene op og bliv mæt.
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
14 Køberen siger: »Usselt, usselt!« men skryder af Handelen, naar han gaar bort.
'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 Har man end Guld og Perler i Mængde, kosteligst Smykke er Kundskabslæber.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Tag hans Klæder, han borged for en anden, pant ham for fremmedes Skyld!
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
17 Sødt smager Løgnens Brød, bagefter fyldes Munden med Grus.
Bread of falsehood 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!
Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
19 Bagtaleren røber, hvad ham er betroet, hav ej med en aabenmundet at gøre!
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
20 Den, der bander Fader og Moder, i Bælgmørke gaar hans Lampe ud.
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
21 Først haster man efter en Arv, men til sidst velsignes den ikke.
An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Sig ikke: »Ondt vil jeg gengælde!« Bi paa HERREN, saa hjælper han dig.
Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
23 To Slags Lodder er HERREN en Gru, det er ikke godt, at Vægten er falsk.
Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
24 Fra HERREN er Mands Fjed, hvor kan et Menneske fatte sin Skæbne!
A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
25 Det er farligt at sige tankeløst: »Helligt!« og først efter Løftet tænke sig om.
It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
26 Viis Konge sigter de gudløse, lader Tærskehjul gaa over dem.
A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
27 Menneskets Aand er en HERRENS Lampe, den ransager alle hans Indres Kamre.
The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
28 Godhed og Troskab vogter Kongen, han støtter sin Trone ved Retfærd.
Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
29 Unges Stolthed er deres Styrke, gamles Smykke er graanet Haar.
The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
30 Blodige Strimer renser den onde og Hug hans Indres Kamre.
Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
