Proverbs 16
1 It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
Čovjek snuje u srcu, a od Jahve je što će jezik odgovoriti.
2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
Čovjeku se svi njegovi putovi čine čisti, a Jahve ispituje duhove.
3 Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
Prepusti Jahvi svoja djela, i tvoje će se namisli ostvariti.
4 The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
Jahve je sve stvorio u svoju svrhu, pa i opakoga za dan zli.
5 All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
Mrzak je Jahvi svatko ohola duha: takav zaista ne ostaje bez kazne.
6 By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
Ljubavlju se i vjernošću pomiruje krivnja, i strahom se Gospodnjim uklanja zlo.
7 When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
Kad su Jahvi mili putovi čovječji, i neprijatelje njegove miri s njim.
8 Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
Bolje je malo s pravednošću nego veliki dohoci s nepravdom.
9 The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
Srce čovječje smišlja svoj put, ali Jahve upravlja korake njegove.
10 Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
Proročanstvo je na usnama kraljevim: u osudi se njegova usta neće ogriješiti.
11 Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
Mjere i tezulje pripadaju Jahvi; njegovo su djelo i svi utezi.
12 Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
Mrsko je kraljevima počiniti opačinu, jer se pravdom utvrđuje prijestolje.
13 Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
Mile su kraljevima usne pravedne i oni ljube onog koji govori pravo.
14 The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
Jarost je kraljeva vjesnik smrti ali je mudar čovjek ublaži.
15 In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
U kraljevu je vedru licu život, i njegova je milost kao oblak s kišom proljetnom.
16 Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
Probitačnije je steći mudrost nego zlato, i stjecati razbor dragocjenije je nego srebro.
17 The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
Životni je put pravednih: kloniti se zla, i tko pazi na svoj put, čuva život svoj.
18 Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
Pred slomom ide oholost i pred padom uznositost.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
Bolje je biti krotak s poniznima nego dijeliti plijen s oholima.
20 The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
Tko pazi na riječ, nalazi sreću, i tko se uzda u Jahvu, blago njemu.
21 Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
Mudar srcem naziva se razumnim i prijazne usne uvećavaju znanje.
22 Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
Izvor je životni razum onima koji ga imaju, a ludima je kazna njihova ludost.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
Mudračev duh urazumljuje usta njegova, na usnama mu znanje umnožava.
24 Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
Saće meda riječi su ljupke, slatke duši i lijek kostima.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
Neki se put čini čovjeku prav, a na kraju vodi k smrti.
26 The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
Radnikova glad radi za nj; jer ga tjeraju usta njegova.
27 The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
Bezočnik pripravlja samo zlo i na usnama mu je oganj plameni.
28 A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
Himben čovjek zameće svađu i klevetnik razdor među prijatelje.
29 A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
Nasilnik zavodi bližnjega svoga i navodi ga na rđav put.
30 Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
Tko očima namiguje, himbu smišlja, a tko usne stišće, već je smislio pakost.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
Sijede su kose prekrasna kruna, nalaze se na putu pravednosti.
32 A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
Tko se teško srdi, bolji je od junaka, i tko nad sobom vlada, bolji je od osvojitelja grada.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
U krilo plašta baca se kocka, ali je od Jahve svaka odluka.
