Ordsprogene 31
1 Kong Lemuel af Massas Ord; som hans Moder tugtede ham med.
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
2 Hvad, Lemuel, min Søn, min førstefødte, hvad skal jeg sige dig, hvad, mit Moderlivs Søn, hvad, mine Løfters Søn?
What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
3 Giv ikke din Kraft til Kvinder, din Kærlighed til dem, der ødelægger Konger.
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of 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 take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
5 at de ikke skal drikke og glemme Vedtægt og bøje Retten for alle arme.
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
6 Giv den segnende stærke Drikke, og giv den mismodige Vin;
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
7 lad ham drikke og glemme sin Fattigdom, ej mer ihukomme sin Møje.
Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
8 Luk Munden op for den stumme, for alle lidendes Sag;
Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
9 luk Munden op og døm retfærdigt, skaf den arme og fattige Ret!
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? Hendes Værd staar langt over Perlers.
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
11 Hendes Husbonds Hjerte stoler paa hende, paa Vinding skorter det ikke.
The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt alle sine Levedage.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 Hun sørger for Uld og Hør, hun bruger sine Hænder med Lyst.
She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
14 Hun er som en Købmands Skibe, sin Føde henter hun langvejs fra.
She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
15 Endnu før Dag staar hun op og giver Huset Mad, sine Piger deres tilmaalte Del.
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
16 Hun tænker paa en Mark og faar den, hun planter en Vingaard, for hvad hun har tjent.
After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
17 Hun bælter sin Hofte med Kraft, lægger Styrke i sine Arme.
She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
18 Hun skønner, hendes Husholdning lykkes, hendes Lampe gaar ikke ud om Natten.
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
19 Hun rækker sine Hænder mod Rokken, Fingrene tager om Tenen.
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
20 Hun rækker sin Haand til den arme, rækker Armene ud til den fattige.
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
21 Af Sne har hun intet at frygte for sit Hus, thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i Skarlagen.
She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
22 Tæpper laver hun sig, hun er klædt i Byssus og Purpur.
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
23 Hendes Husbond er kendt i Portene, naar han sidder blandt Landets Ældste.
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
24 Hun væver Linned til Salg og sælger Bælter til Kræmmeren.
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
25 Klædt i Styrke og Hæder gaar hun Morgendagen i Møde med Smil.
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
26 Hun aabner Munden med Visdom, med mild Vejledning paa Tungen.
Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
27 Hun vaager over Husets Gænge og spiser ej Ladheds Brød.
She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
28 Hendes Sønner staar frem og giver hende Pris, hendes Husbond synger hendes Lov:
Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
29 »Mange duelige Kvinder findes, men du staar over dem alle!«
Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
30 Ynde er Svig og Skønhed Skin; en Kvinde, som frygter HERREN, skal roses.
Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
31 Lad hende faa sine Hænders Frugt, hendes Gerninger synger hendes Lov i Portene.
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
