Proverbs 18
1 THROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
