Ordsprogene 31
1 Kong Lemuel af Massas Ord; som hans Moder tugtede ham med.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 Hvad, Lemuel, min Søn, min førstefødte, hvad skal jeg sige dig, hvad, mit Moderlivs Søn, hvad, mine Løfters Søn?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Giv ikke din Kraft til Kvinder, din Kærlighed til dem, der ødelægger Konger.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 Det klæder ej Konger, Lemuel, det klæder ej Konger at drikke Vin eller Fyrster at kræve stærke Drikke,
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 at de ikke skal drikke og glemme Vedtægt og bøje Retten for alle arme.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Giv den segnende stærke Drikke, og giv den mismodige Vin;
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 lad ham drikke og glemme sin Fattigdom, ej mer ihukomme sin Møje.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Luk Munden op for den stumme, for alle lidendes Sag;
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 luk Munden op og døm retfærdigt, skaf den arme og fattige Ret!
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? Hendes Værd staar langt over Perlers.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Hendes Husbonds Hjerte stoler paa hende, paa Vinding skorter det ikke.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt alle sine Levedage.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Hun sørger for Uld og Hør, hun bruger sine Hænder med Lyst.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Hun er som en Købmands Skibe, sin Føde henter hun langvejs fra.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings 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's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 Hun tænker paa en Mark og faar den, hun planter en Vingaard, for hvad hun har tjent.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Hun bælter sin Hofte med Kraft, lægger Styrke i sine Arme.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Hun skønner, hendes Husholdning lykkes, hendes Lampe gaar ikke ud om Natten.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Hun rækker sine Hænder mod Rokken, Fingrene tager om Tenen.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Hun rækker sin Haand til den arme, rækker Armene ud til den fattige.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Af Sne har hun intet at frygte for sit Hus, thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i Skarlagen.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Tæpper laver hun sig, hun er klædt i Byssus og Purpur.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Hendes Husbond er kendt i Portene, naar han sidder blandt Landets Ældste.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Hun væver Linned til Salg og sælger Bælter til Kræmmeren.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Klædt i Styrke og Hæder gaar hun Morgendagen i Møde med Smil.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Hun aabner Munden med Visdom, med mild Vejledning paa Tungen.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Hun vaager over Husets Gænge og spiser ej Ladheds Brød.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Hendes Sønner staar frem og giver hende Pris, hendes Husbond synger hendes Lov:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 »Mange duelige Kvinder findes, men du staar over dem alle!«
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Ynde er Svig og Skønhed Skin; en Kvinde, som frygter HERREN, skal roses.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Lad hende faa sine Hænders Frugt, hendes Gerninger synger hendes Lov i Portene.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
