Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
Vlastitoj požudi popušta onaj tko zastranjuje, i svađa se usprkos svakom razboru.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
Bezumnomu nije mio razum; stalo mu je dati srcu oduška.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
Kad dolazi opačina, dolazi i prezir i bruka sa sramotom.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Duboke su vode riječi iz usta nečijih, izvor mudrosti bujica što se razlijeva.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
Ne valja se obazirati na opaku osobu, da se pravedniku nanese nepravda na sudu.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
Bezumnikove se usne upuštaju u svađu i njegova usta izazivlju udarce.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Bezumnomu su propast vlastita usta i usne su mu zamka životu.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
Klevetnikove su riječi kao poslastice: spuštaju se u dno utrobe.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Tko je nemaran u svom poslu, brat je onomu koji rasipa.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
Tvrda je kula ime Jahvino: njemu se pravednik utječe i nalazi utočišta.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
Bogatstvo je bogatašu njegova tvrđava i kao visok zid u mašti njegovoj.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
Pred slomom se oholi srce čovječje, a pred slavom ide poniznost.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
Tko odgovara prije nego što sasluša, na ludost mu je i sramotu.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
Kad je čovjek bolestan, njegov ga duh podiže, a ubijen duh tko će podići?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Razumno srce stječe znanje i uho mudrih traži znanje.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Dar čovjeku otvara put i vodi ga pred velikaše.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
Prvi je pravedan u svojoj parnici, a kad dođe njegov protivnik, opovrgne ga.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Ždrijeb poravna svađe, pa i među moćnicima odlučuje.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Uvrijeđen brat jači je od tvrda grada i svađe su kao prijevornice na tvrđavi.
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
Svatko siti trbuh plodom usta svojih, nasićuje se rodom usana svojih.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Smrt i život u vlasti su jeziku, a tko ga miluje, jede od ploda njegova.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
Tko je našao ženu, našao je sreću i stekao milost od Jahve.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
Ponizno moleći govori siromah, a grubo odgovara bogataš.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Ima prijatelja koji vode u propast, a ima i prijatelja privrženijih od brata.
