Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn om Høsten saa lidt hører Ære sig til for en Taabe.
As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.
2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt saa rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.
As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Taabers Ryg.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
4 Svar ej Taaben efter hans Daarskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.
5 Svar Taaben efter hans Daarskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Taabe.
He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Taabe.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 Som en Skytte, der saarer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Taabe og en drukken.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Taabe, der gentager Daarskab.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Taabe er der mere Haab end for ham.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 Den lade siger: »Et Rovdyr paa Vejen, en Løve ude paa Torvene!«
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 Døren drejer sig paa sit Hængsel, den lade paa sit Leje.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Haanden til Munden.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.
As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: »Jeg spøger jo kun.«
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 Er der intet Brænde, gaar Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 Som Sølvovertræk paa et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.
Though [thine] enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.
He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
