Ordsprogene 31
1 Kong Lemuel af Massas Ord; som hans Moder tugtede ham med.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 Hvad, Lemuel, min Søn, min førstefødte, hvad skal jeg sige dig, hvad, mit Moderlivs Søn, hvad, mine Løfters Søn?
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Giv ikke din Kraft til Kvinder, din Kærlighed til dem, der ødelægger Konger.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Det klæder ej Konger, Lemuel, det klæder ej Konger at drikke Vin eller Fyrster at kræve stærke Drikke,
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 at de ikke skal drikke og glemme Vedtægt og bøje Retten for alle arme.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Giv den segnende stærke Drikke, og giv den mismodige Vin;
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 lad ham drikke og glemme sin Fattigdom, ej mer ihukomme sin Møje.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Luk Munden op for den stumme, for alle lidendes Sag;
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 luk Munden op og døm retfærdigt, skaf den arme og fattige Ret!
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Hvo finder en duelig Hustru? Hendes Værd står langt over Perlers.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 Hendes Husbonds Hjerte stoler på hende, på Vinding skorter det ikke.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 Hun gør ham godt og intet ondt alle sine Levedage.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 Hun sørger for Uld og Hør, hun bruger sine Hænder med Lyst.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 Hun er som en Købmands Skibe, sin Føde henter hun langvejs fra.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 Endnu før Dag står hun op og giver Huset Mad, sine Piger deres tilmålte Del.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 Hun tænker på en Mark og får den, hun planter en Vingård, for hvad hun har tjent.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 Hun bælter sin Hofte med Kraft, lægger Styrke i sine Arme.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 Hun skønner, hendes Husholdning lykkes, hendes Lampe går ikke ud om Natten.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 Hun rækker sine Hænder mod Rokken, Fingrene tager om Tenen.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 Hun rækker sin Hånd til den arme, rækker Armene ud til den fattige.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 Af Sne har hun intet at frygte for sit Hus, thi hele hendes Hus er klædt i Skarlagen.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 Tæpper laver hun sig, hun er klædt i Byssus og Purpur.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Hendes Husbond er kendt i Portene, når han sidder blandt Landets Ældste.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 Hun væver Linned til Salg og sælger Bælter til Kræmmeren.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Klædt i Styrke og Hæder går hun Morgendagen i Møde med Smil.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 Hun åbner Munden med Visdom, med mild Vejledning på Tungen.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 Hun våger over Husets Gænge og spiser ej Ladheds Brød.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Hendes Sønner står frem og giver hende Pris, hendes Husbond synger hendes Lov:
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 "Mange duelige Kvinder findes, men du står over dem alle!"
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Ynde er Svig og Skønhed Skin; en Kvinde, som frygter HERREN, skal roses.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Lad hende få sine Hænders Frugt, hendes Gerninger synger hendes Lov i Portene.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
