Ordsprogene 31
1 Kong Lemuel af Massas Ord; som hans Moder tugtede ham med.
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 Hvad, Lemuel, min Søn, min førstefødte, hvad skal jeg sige dig, hvad, mit Moderlivs Søn, hvad, mine Løfters Søn?
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Giv ikke din Kraft til Kvinder, din Kærlighed til dem, der ødelægger Konger.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys 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, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 at de ikke skal drikke og glemme Vedtægt og bøje Retten for alle arme.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Giv den segnende stærke Drikke, og giv den mismodige Vin;
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, 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 the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 luk Munden op og døm retfærdigt, skaf den arme og fattige Ret!
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? Hendes Værd staar langt over Perlers.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Hendes Husbonds Hjerte stoler paa hende, paa Vinding skorter det ikke.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt alle sine Levedage.
She does 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 seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Hun er som en Købmands Skibe, sin Føde henter hun langvejs fra.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Endnu før Dag staar hun op og giver Huset Mad, sine Piger deres tilmaalte Del.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 Hun tænker paa en Mark og faar den, hun planter en Vingaard, for hvad hun har tjent.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 Hun bælter sin Hofte med Kraft, lægger Styrke i sine Arme.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Hun skønner, hendes Husholdning lykkes, hendes Lampe gaar ikke ud om Natten.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Hun rækker sine Hænder mod Rokken, Fingrene tager om Tenen.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Hun rækker sin Haand til den arme, rækker Armene ud til den fattige.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 Af Sne har hun intet at frygte for sit Hus, thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i Skarlagen.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Tæpper laver hun sig, hun er klædt i Byssus og Purpur.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Hendes Husbond er kendt i Portene, naar han sidder blandt Landets Ældste.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.
24 Hun væver Linned til Salg og sælger Bælter til Kræmmeren.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Klædt i Styrke og Hæder gaar hun Morgendagen i Møde med Smil.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Hun aabner Munden med Visdom, med mild Vejledning paa Tungen.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Hun vaager over Husets Gænge og spiser ej Ladheds Brød.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t 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 also praises her:
29 »Mange duelige Kvinder findes, men du staar over dem alle!«
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Ynde er Svig og Skønhed Skin; en Kvinde, som frygter HERREN, skal roses.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Lad hende faa sine Hænders Frugt, hendes Gerninger synger hendes Lov i Portene.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
