Prædikeren 10
1 Døde Fluer gør Salveblanderens Olie stinkende, lidt Dårskab ødelægger Visdommens Værd.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
2 Den vise har sin Forstand tilhøjre, Tåben har sin til venstre,
A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Hvor Dåren end færdes, svigter hans Forstand, og han røber for alle, at han er en Dåre.
Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 Når en Herskers Vrede rejser sig mod dig, forlad ikke derfor din Plads; thi Sagtmodighed hindrer store Synder.
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
5 Der er et Onde, jeg så under Solen; det ser ud som et Misgreb af ham, som har Magten:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
6 Dårskab sættes i Højsædet, nederst sidder de rige.
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 Trælle så jeg højt til Hest og Høvdinger til Fods som Trælle.
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
8 Den, som graver en Grav, falder selv deri; den, som nedbryder en Mur, ham bider en Slange;
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a serpent.
9 den, som bryder Sten, kan såre sig på dem; den, som kløver Træ, er i Fare.
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
10 Når Øksen er sløv og dens Æg ej hvæsses, må Kraft lægges i; men den dygtiges Fortrin er Visdom.
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
11 Bider en Slange, før den besværges, har Besværgeren ingen Gavn af sin Kunst.
If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.
12 Ord fra Vismands Mund vinder Yndest, en Dåres Læber bringer ham Våde;
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
13 hans Tale begynder med Dårskab og ender med den værste Galskab.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 Tåben bruger mange Ord. Ej ved Mennesket, hvad der skal ske; hvad der efter hans Død skal ske, hvo siger ham det?
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
15 Dårens Flid gør ham træt, thi end ikke til Bys ved han Vej.
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.
16 Ve dig, du Land, hvis Konge er en Dreng og hvis Fyrster holder Gilde ved Gry.
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning.
17 Held dig; du Land, hvis Konge er ædelbåren, hvis Fyrster holder Gilde til sømmelig Tid som Mænd og ikke som drankere.
Blessed are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness.
18 Ved Ladhed synker Bjælkelaget; når Hænderne slappes, drypper det i Huset.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
19 Til Morskab holder man Gæstebud, og Vin gør de levende glade; men Penge skaffer alt til Veje.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
20 End ikke i din Tanke må du bande en Konge, end ikke i dit Sovekammer en, som er rig; thi Himlens Fugle kan udsprede Ordet, de vingede røbe, hvad du siger.
Do not curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
