Proverbs 18
1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
