Ordsprogene 18
1 Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh reproach.
4 Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 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 dainty, morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.
He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
10 HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own imagination.
12 Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.
The heart of the prudent getteth 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 bringeth him before great men.
17 Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.
He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 city: and [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
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 shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.
The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
