Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Særlingen søger et Paaskud, med Vold og Magt vil han Strid.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Taaben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, saa man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Taabens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund raaber højt efter Hug,
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Taabens Mund er hans Vaade, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
8 The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er ogsaa Broder til Ødeland.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
HERRENS Navn er et stærkt Taarn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Mands Hovmod gaar forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Daarskab og Skændsel.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Aand?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attraar Kundskab.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
Gaver aabner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og gaar ham efter.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Loddet gør Ende paa Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslaa for Borg.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it will eat its fruit.
Død og Liv er i Tungens Vold, hvo der tøjler den, nyder dens Frugt.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Naade fra HERREN.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med haarde Ord.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
Med mange Fæller kan Mand gaa til Grunde, men Ven kan overgaa Broder i Troskab.
