Ordsprogene 22
1 Hellere godt Navn end megen Rigdom, Yndest er bedre end Sølv og Guld.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 Rig og fattig mødes, HERREN har skabt dem begge.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 Den kloge ser Faren og søger i Skjul, tankeløse gaar videre og bøder.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 Lønnen for Ydmyghed og HERRENS Frygt er Rigdom, Ære og Liv.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Paa den svigefuldes Vej er der Torne og Snarer; vil man vogte sin Sjæl, maa man holde sig fra dem.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Væn Drengen til den Vej, han skal følge, da viger han ikke derfra, selv gammel.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 Over Fattigfolk raader den rige, Laantager bliver Laangivers Træl.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Hvo Uret saar, vil høste Fortræd, hans Vredes Ris skal slaa ham selv.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 Den vennesæle velsignes, thi han deler sit Brød med den ringe.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Driv Spotteren ud, saa gaar Trætten med, og Hiv og Smæden faar Ende.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 HERREN elsker den rene af Hjertet; med Ynde paa Læben er man Kongens Ven.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 HERRENS Øjne agter paa Kundskab, men han kuldkaster troløses Ord.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 Den lade siger: »En Løve paa Gaden! Jeg kan let blive revet ihjel paa Torvet.«
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 Fremmed Kvindes Mund er en bundløs Grav, den, HERREN er vred paa, falder deri.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Daarskab er knyttet til Ynglingens Hjerte, Tugtens Ris skal fjerne den fra ham.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 Vold mod den ringe øger hans Eje, Gave til Rigmand gør ham kun fattig.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Bøj Øret og hør de vises Ord, vend Hjertet til og kend deres Liflighed!
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 Vogter du dem i dit Indre, er de alle rede paa Læben.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 For at din Lid skal staa til HERREN, lærer jeg dig i Dag.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Alt i Gaar optegned jeg til dig, alt i Forgaars Raad og Kundskab
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 for at lære dig rammende Sandhedsord, at du kan svare sandt, naar du spørges.
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Røv ej fra den ringe, fordi han er ringe, knus ikke den arme i Porten:
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 thi HERREN fører deres Sag og raner deres Ransmænds Liv.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Vær ej Ven med den, der let bliver hidsig, omgaas ikke vredladen Mand,
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 at du ikke skal lære hans Stier og hente en Snare for din Sjæl.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Hør ikke til dem, der giver Haandslag, dem, som borger for Gæld!
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 Saafremt du ej kan betale, tager man Sengen, du ligger i.
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Flyt ej ældgamle Skel, dem, dine Fædre satte.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Ser du en Mand, som er snar til sin Gerning, da skal han stedes for Konger, ikke for Folk af ringe Stand.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
