Ordsprogene 20
1 En Spotter er Vinen, stærk Drik slaar sig løs, og ingen, som raver deraf, er viis.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them 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 like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own 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 quarrelling.
4 Om Efteraaret pløjer den lade ikke, han søger i Høst, men finder intet.
The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; 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?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 Retfærdig er den, som lydefrit vandrer, hans Sønner faar Lykke efter ham.
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 Kongen, der sidder i Dommersædet, sigter alt ondt med sit Blik.
A king who sits on the throne of judgement scatters 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 pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 To Slags Vægt og to Slags Maal, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
Differing weights and differing 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 makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Øret, der hører, og Øjet, der ser, HERREN skabte dem begge.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ej bliver fattig, luk Øjnene op og bliv mæt.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 Køberen siger: »Usselt, usselt!« men skryder af Handelen, naar han gaar bort.
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Har man end Guld og Perler i Mængde, kosteligst Smykke er Kundskabslæber.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Tag hans Klæder, han borged for en anden, pant ham for fremmedes Skyld!
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Sødt smager Løgnens Brød, bagefter fyldes Munden med Grus.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Planer, der lægges ved Raadslagning, lykkes; før Krig efter modent Overlæg!
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Bagtaleren røber, hvad ham er betroet, hav ej med en aabenmundet at gøre!
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Den, der bander Fader og Moder, i Bælgmørke gaar hans Lampe ud.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 Først haster man efter en Arv, men til sidst velsignes den ikke.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Sig ikke: »Ondt vil jeg gengælde!« Bi paa HERREN, saa hjælper han dig.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 To Slags Lodder er HERREN en Gru, det er ikke godt, at Vægten er falsk.
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 Fra HERREN er Mands Fjed, hvor kan et Menneske fatte sin Skæbne!
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 Det er farligt at sige tankeløst: »Helligt!« og først efter Løftet tænke sig om.
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 Viis Konge sigter de gudløse, lader Tærskehjul gaa over dem.
A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Menneskets Aand er en HERRENS Lampe, den ransager alle hans Indres Kamre.
The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Godhed og Troskab vogter Kongen, han støtter sin Trone ved Retfærd.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 Unges Stolthed er deres Styrke, gamles Smykke er graanet Haar.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendour of old men is their grey hair.
30 Blodige Strimer renser den onde og Hug hans Indres Kamre.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
