Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 will eat its fruit.
Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
