Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn om Høsten saa lidt hører Ære sig til for en Taabe.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, 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 the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Taabers Ryg.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
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 also be like unto him.
5 Svar Taaben efter hans Daarskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Taabe.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Taabe.
As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Taabers Mund.
As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Som en Skytte, der saarer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Taabe og en drukken.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Taabe, der gentager Daarskab.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Taabe er der mere Haab end for ham.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Den lade siger: »Et Rovdyr paa Vejen, en Løve ude paa Torvene!«
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 Døren drejer sig paa sit Hængsel, den lade paa sit Leje.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Haanden til Munden.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: »Jeg spøger jo kun.«
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Er der intet Brænde, gaar Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Som Sølvovertræk paa et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
