Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise.
En Spotter er Vinen, stærk Drik slår sig løs, og ingen, som raver deraf, er viis.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own life.
Som Løvebrøl er Rædslen, en Konge vækker, at vække hans Vrede er at vove sit Liv.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling.
Mands Ære er det at undgå Trætte, men alle Tåber vil Strid.
4 The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Om Efteråret pløjer den lade ikke, han søger i Høst, men finder intet.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Råd i Mands Hjerte er dybe Vande, men Mand med Indsigt drager det op.
6 Most men wilt proclaim every one his own kindness: but a faithful man who can find?
Mangen kaldes en velvillig Mand, men hvem kan finde en trofast Mand?
7 A just man that walketh in his integrity, blessed are his children after him.
Retfærdig er den, som lydefrit vandrer, hans Sønner får Lykke efter ham.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Kongen, der sidder i Dommersædet, sigter alt ondt med sit Blik.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
Hvo kan sige: "Jeg rensed mit Hjerte, og jeg er ren for Synd!"
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
To Slags Vægt og to Slags Mål, begge Dele er HERREN en Gru.
11 Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Selv Drengen kendes på det, han gør, om han er ren og ret hans Færd.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Øret, der hører, og Øjet, der ser, HERREN skabte dem begge.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, [and] thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Elsk ikke Søvn, at du ej bliver fattig, luk Øjnene op og bliv mæt.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Køberen siger: "Usselt, usselt!" men skryder af Handelen, når han går bort.
15 There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Har man end Guld og Perler i Mængde, kosteligst Smykke er Kundskabslæber.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge [that is surety] for strangers.
Tag hans Klæder, han borged for en anden, pant ham for fremmedes Skyld!
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Sødt smager Løgnens Brød, bagefter fyldes Munden med Grus.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and by wise guidance make thou war,
Planer, der lægges ved Rådslagning, lykkes; før Krig efter modent Overlæg!
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Bagtaleren røber, hvad ham er betroet, hav ej med en åbenmundet at gøre!
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
Den, der bander Fader og Moder, i Bælgmørke går hans Lampe ud.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Først haster man efter en Arv, men til sidst velsignes den ikke.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil: wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Sig ikke: "Ondt vil jeg gengælde!" Bi på HERREN, så hjælper han dig.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
To Slags Lodder er HERREN en Gru, det er ikke godt, at Vægten er falsk.
24 A man’s goings are of the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
Fra HERREN er Mands Fjed, hvor kan et Menneske fatte sin Skæbne!
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say, [It is] holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
Det er farligt at sige tankeløst: "Helligt!" og først efter Løftet tænke sig om.
26 A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and bringeth the [threshing] wheel over them.
Viis Konge sigter de gudløse, lader Tærskehjul gå over dem.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of the belly.
Menneskets Ånd er en HERRENs Lampe, den ransager alle hans indres Kamre.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Godhed og Troskab vogter Kongen, han støtter sin Trone ved Retfærd.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
Unges Stolthed er deres Styrke, gamles Smykke er grånet Hår.
30 Stripes that wound cleanse away evil: and strokes [reach] the innermost parts of the belly.
Blodige Strimer renser den onde og Hug hans Indres Kamre.
