Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
10 HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Gaver åbner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslå for Borg.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
21 Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
