Ordsprogene 4
1 Hør, I Sønner, paa en Faders Tugt, lyt til for at vinde Forstand;
Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;
2 thi gavnlig Viden giver jeg jer, slip ej hvad jeg har lært jer.
for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.
3 Da jeg var min Faders Dreng, min Moders Kælebarn og eneste,
For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.
4 lærte han mig og sagde: Lad dit Hjerte gribe om mine Ord, vogt mine Bud, saa skal du leve;
He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
5 køb Visdom, køb Forstand, du glemme det ikke, vend dig ej bort fra min Munds Ord;
Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, and don’t deviate from the words of my mouth.
6 slip den ikke, saa vil den vogte dig, elsk den, saa vil den værne dig!
Don’t forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Køb Visdom for det bedste, du ejer, køb Forstand for alt, hvad du har;
Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.
8 hold den højt, saa bringer den dig højt til Vejrs, den bringer dig Ære, naar du favner den;
Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honour when you embrace her.
9 den sætter en yndig Krans paa dit Hoved; den rækker dig en dejlig Krone.
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendour to you.”
10 Hør, min Søn, tag imod mine Ord, saa bliver dine Leveaar mange.
Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many.
11 Jeg viser dig Visdommens Vej, leder dig ad Rettens Spor;
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
12 naar du gaar, skal din Gang ej hæmmes, og løber du, snubler du ikke;
When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
13 hold fast ved Tugt, lad den ikke fare, tag Vare paa den, thi den er dit Liv.
Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
14 Kom ikke paa gudløses Sti, skrid ej frem ad de ondes Vej.
Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men.
15 sky den og følg den ikke, vig fra den, gaa udenom;
Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on.
16 thi de sover ikke, naar de ikke har syndet, og Søvnen flyr dem, naar de ej har bragt Fald.
For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
17 Thi de æder Gudløsheds Brød og drikker Urettens Vin.
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 men retfærdiges Sti er som straalende Lys, der vokser i Glans til højlys Dag:
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
19 Gudløses Vej er som Mørket, de skønner ej, hvad de snubler over,
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
20 Mærk dig, min Søn, mine Ord, bøj Øret til, hvad jeg siger;
My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 det slippe dig ikke af Syne, du vogte det dybt i dit Hjerte;
Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the centre of your heart.
22 thi det er Liv for dem, der finder det, Helse for alt deres Kød.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to their whole body.
23 Vogt dit Hjerte mer end alt andet, thi derfra udspringer Livet.
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.
24 Hold dig fra Svig med din Mund, lad Læbernes Falskhed være dig fjern.
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
25 Lad dine Øjne se lige ud, dit Blik skue lige frem;
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
26 gaa ad det lige Spor, lad alle dine Veje sigte mod Maalet;
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
27 bøj hverken til højre eller venstre, lad Foden vige fra ondt!
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
