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.
