Proverbs 18
1 For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
Særlingen søger et påskud, med vold og magt vil han strid.
2 A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
Tåben ynder ej Indsigt, men kun, at hans Tanker kommer for Lyset.
3 With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — reproach.
Hvor Gudløshed kommer, kommer og Spot, Skam og Skændsel følges.
4 Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
Ord i Mands Mund er dybe Vande, en rindende Bæk, en Visdomskilde.
5 Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
Det er ilde at give en skyldig Medhold, så man afviser skyldfris Sag i Retten.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
Tåbens Læber fører til Trætte, hans Mund råber højt efter Hug,
7 The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
Tåbens Mund er hans Våde, hans Læber en Snare for hans Liv.
8 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
Bagtalerens Ord er som Lækkerbidskener, de synker dybt i Bugen.
9 He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
Den, der er efterladen i Gerning, er også Broder til Ødeland.
10 A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
HERRENs Navn er et stærkt Tårn, den retfærdige løber derhen og bjærges.
11 The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
Den riges Gods er hans faste Stad, og tykkes ham en knejsende Mur.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
Mands Hovmod går forud for Fald, Ydmyghed forud for Ære.
13 Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and shame.
Om nogen svarer, førend han hører, regnes det ham til Dårskab og Skændsel.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
Mands Mod udholder Sygdom, men hvo kan bære en sønderbrudt Ånd?
15 The heart of the intelligent getteth knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Den forstandiges Hjerte vinder sig Kundskab, de vises Øre attrår Kundskab.
16 The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
Gaver åbner et Menneske Vej og fører ham hen til de store.
17 Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
Den, der taler først i en Trætte har Ret, til den anden kommer og går ham efter.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
Loddet gør Ende på Trætter og skiller de stærkeste ad.
19 A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
Krænket Broder er som en Fæstning, Trætter som Portslå for Borg.
20 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
Mands Bug mættes af Mundens Frugt, han mættes af Læbernes Grøde.
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it 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 good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
Fandt man en Hustru, fandt man Lykken og modtog Nåde fra HERREN.
23 [With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
Fattigmand beder og trygler, Rigmand svarer med hårde Ord.
24 A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
Med mange Fæller kan Mand gå til Grunde, men Ven kan overgå Broder i Troskab.
