Ordsprogene 31
1 Kong Lemuel af Massas Ord; som hans Moder tugtede ham med.
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2 Hvad, Lemuel, min Søn, min førstefødte, hvad skal jeg sige dig, hvad, mit Moderlivs Søn, hvad, mine Løfters Søn?
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Giv ikke din Kraft til Kvinder, din Kærlighed til dem, der ødelægger Konger.
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Det klæder ej Konger, Lemuel, det klæder ej Konger at drikke Vin eller Fyrster at kræve stærke Drikke,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 at de ikke skal drikke og glemme Vedtægt og bøje Retten for alle arme.
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Giv den segnende stærke Drikke, og giv den mismodige Vin;
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 lad ham drikke og glemme sin Fattigdom, ej mer ihukomme sin Møje.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Luk Munden op for den stumme, for alle lidendes Sag;
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 luk Munden op og døm retfærdigt, skaf den arme og fattige Ret!
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? Hendes Værd staar langt over Perlers.
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11 Hendes Husbonds Hjerte stoler paa hende, paa Vinding skorter det ikke.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt alle sine Levedage.
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13 Hun sørger for Uld og Hør, hun bruger sine Hænder med Lyst.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 Hun er som en Købmands Skibe, sin Føde henter hun langvejs fra.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 Endnu før Dag staar hun op og giver Huset Mad, sine Piger deres tilmaalte Del.
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 Hun tænker paa en Mark og faar den, hun planter en Vingaard, for hvad hun har tjent.
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 Hun bælter sin Hofte med Kraft, lægger Styrke i sine Arme.
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 Hun skønner, hendes Husholdning lykkes, hendes Lampe gaar ikke ud om Natten.
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 Hun rækker sine Hænder mod Rokken, Fingrene tager om Tenen.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 Hun rækker sin Haand til den arme, rækker Armene ud til den fattige.
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 Af Sne har hun intet at frygte for sit Hus, thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i Skarlagen.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 Tæpper laver hun sig, hun er klædt i Byssus og Purpur.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Hendes Husbond er kendt i Portene, naar han sidder blandt Landets Ældste.
Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Hun væver Linned til Salg og sælger Bælter til Kræmmeren.
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 Klædt i Styrke og Hæder gaar hun Morgendagen i Møde med Smil.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 Hun aabner Munden med Visdom, med mild Vejledning paa Tungen.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 Hun vaager over Husets Gænge og spiser ej Ladheds Brød.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Hendes Sønner staar frem og giver hende Pris, hendes Husbond synger hendes Lov:
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29 »Mange duelige Kvinder findes, men du staar over dem alle!«
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Ynde er Svig og Skønhed Skin; en Kvinde, som frygter HERREN, skal roses.
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Lad hende faa sine Hænders Frugt, hendes Gerninger synger hendes Lov i Portene.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
