Ordsprogene 26
1 Som Sne om Somren og Regn Høsten så lidt hører Ære sig til for en Tåbe.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Som en Spurv i Fart, som en Svale i Flugt så rammer ej Banden mod sagesløs Mand.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Svøbe for Hest, Bidsel for Æsel og Ris for Tåbers Ryg.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Svar ej Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at ikke du selv skal blive som han.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Svar Tåben efter hans Dårskab, at han ikke skal tykkes sig viis.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Den afhugger Fødderne og inddrikker Vold, som sender Bud ved en Tåbe.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Slappe som den lammes Ben er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Som en, der binder Stenen fast i Slyngen, er den, der hædrer en Tåbe.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Som en Tornekæp, der falder den drukne i Hænde, er Ordsprog i Tåbers Mund.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Som en Skytte, der sårer enhver, som kommer, er den, der lejer en Tåbe og en drukken.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Som en Hund, der vender sig om til sit Spy, er en Tåbe, der gentager Dårskab.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Ser du en Mand, der tykkes sig viis, for en Tåbe er der mere Håb end for ham.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Den lade siger: "Et Rovdyr på Vejen, en Løve ude på Torvene!"
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Døren drejer sig på sit Hængsel, den lade på sit Leje.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Den lade rækker til Fadet, men gider ikke føre Hånden til Munden.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Den lade tykkes sig større Vismand end syv, der har kloge Svar.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Den griber en Hund i Øret, som blander sig i uvedkommende Strid.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Som en vanvittig Mand, der udslynger Gløder, Pile og Død,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 er den, der sviger sin Næste og siger: "Jeg spøger jo kun."
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Er der intet Brænde, går Ilden ud, er der ingen Bagtaler, stilles Trætte.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Trækul til Gløder og Brænde til Ild og trættekær Mand til at optænde Kiv.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Legemets Kamre.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Som Sølvovertræk på et Lerkar er ondsindet Hjerte bag glatte Læber.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Avindsmand hykler med Læben, i sit Indre huser han Svig;
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 gør han Røsten venlig, tro ham dog ikke, thi i hans Hjerte er syvfold Gru.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Den, der dølger sit Had med Svig, hans Ondskab kommer frem i Folkets Forsamling.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 I Graven, man graver, falder man selv, af Stenen, man vælter, rammes man selv.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Løgnetunge giver mange Hug, hyklersk Mund volder Fald.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
