Pregovori 18
1 Preko želje človek, ki je samega sebe oddvojil, išče in se vmešava z vso modrostjo.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Bedak nima veselja v razumevanju, temveč da njegovo srce lahko odkrije samo sebe.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 Kadar prihaja zlobni, potem prihaja tudi zaničevanje in s sramoto graja.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Besede iz človekovih ust so kakor globoke vode in vrelec modrosti kakor tekoč potok.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Ni dobro sprejeti osebo zlobnega, da pravičnega zruši na sodbi.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 Bedakove ustnice vstopajo v spor in njegova usta kličejo za udarci.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Bedakova usta so njegovo uničenje in njegove ustnice so zanka njegovi duši.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Besede tožljivca so kakor rane in gredo navzdol v najnotranjejše dele trebuha.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Tudi tisti, ki je len v svojem delu, je brat tistemu, ki je velik kvarilec.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 Gospodovo ime je močan stolp, pravični priteče vanj in je varen.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 Bogataševo premoženje je njegovo močno mesto in kakor visoko obzidje v njegovi lastni domišljavosti.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Pred uničenjem je človekovo srce ošabno in pred častjo je ponižnost.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Kdor odgovarja zadevo, preden jo sliši, mu je to neumnost in sramota.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 Človekov duh bo podpiral njegovo šibkost, toda kdo lahko prenaša ranjenega duha?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 Srce razsodnega pridobiva spoznanje, uho modrega pa išče spoznanje.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 Človekovo darilo zanj pripravlja prostor in ga prinaša pred velike ljudi.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Kdor je prvi v svoji lastni zadevi, je videti pravičen, toda prihaja njegov sosed in ga preiskuje.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Žreb povzroča sporom, da se ustavijo in razdeljuje med mogočnimi.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 Užaljenega brata je težje pridobiti kakor močno mesto in njihovi spori so podobni grajskim zapahom.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Človekov trebuh bo potešen s sadom svojih ust in nasičen bo z donosom svojih ustnic.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Smrt in življenje sta v oblasti jezika in tisti, ki ga ljubijo, bodo jedli od njegovega sadu.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Kdorkoli najde ženo, najde dobro stvar in dosega naklonjenost od Gospoda.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Ubogi uporablja rotenja, toda bogataš odgovarja surovo.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Človek, ki ima prijatelje, se mora kazati prijatelja in obstaja prijatelj, ki se drži bližje kakor brat.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
