1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 2He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 6A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. 7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 9Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.14.10 his own…: Heb. the bitterness of his soul 11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. 14The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 15The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. 16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 17He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. 18The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.14.20 the rich…: Heb. many are the lovers of the rich 21He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. 23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 24The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. 25A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 28In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. 29He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.14.29 hasty…: Heb. short of spirit 30A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. 31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. 32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. 34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.14.34 to any…: Heb. to nations 35The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
1En klog kvinde opbygger sit hjem,
en tåbelig kone river det ned.
2Den, der vandrer ret, viser ærefrygt for Herren,
den, der er i oprør, viser sin foragt.
3Tåbelige ord får ubehagelige følger,14,3 Eller: „fører til stolthed.” Den hebraiske tekst er uklar og måske kopieret forkert.
de vise tænker, før de taler.
4Har man ingen okser, sparer man foderet,
men stærke trækdyr kan give en stor høst.
5Et trofast vidne lyver aldrig,
et falsk vidne udspyr løgne.
6Den, der arrogant søger visdom, finder den ikke,
men med ydmyg fornuft vinder man viden.
7Hold dig borte fra tåben,
for dér får du ingen gode råd.
8De kloge overvejer de skridt, de tager,
tåben går rundt i blinde.
9Tåber er ligeglade med, om de synder,
de retskafne ønsker at gøre Guds vilje.
10Ingen kan helt forstå en andens sorg
eller fuldt ud føle en andens glæde.
11Den gudløses hjem går til grunde,
den gudfrygtiges familie blomstrer.
12Man kan være helt sikker på at have ret
og alligevel ende med et nederlag.
13Et smil kan dække over hjertesorg,
når smilet er væk, er smerten der stadig.
14Den troløse må lide for sin utroskab,
den trofaste får sin belønning.
15Den naive tror på hvad som helst,
den kloge tænker sig godt om.
16Den kloge er forsigtig og holder sig fra det onde,
tåben er overmodig og uden hæmninger.
17Den hidsige handler uoverlagt,
den fornuftige udholder meget.14,17 Oversat fra LXX, da den hebraiske tekst sandsynligvis ikke er original.
18Den uforstandige øger sin dumhed,
den kloge vokser i visdom.
19De onde skal bukke i respekt for de gode
og stå med hatten i hånden ved deres dør.
20Den fattige har ingen venner,
men alle flokkes om den rige.
21At se ned på den fattige14,21 Efter LXX, jf. v. 31. Kan også oversættes „sin næste”. er syndigt,
men at hjælpe en stakkel giver velsignelse.
22De, der har onde planer, ender i ulykke,
de, der har godt i sinde, oplever14,22 Eller: „viser”. trofast kærlighed.
23Hårdt arbejde giver godt udbytte,
tom snak fører til fattigdom.
24Den vises liv ender med succes,
tåbens liv ender i tåbeligheder.
25Et sandfærdigt vidne redder liv,
et falsk vidne er en forræder.
26De, der har ærefrygt for Herren, opnår fred og tryghed,
og deres børn beskyttes af Gud.
27Ærefrygt for Herren er kilden til liv,
for den frelser fra dødens fælde.
28En leder for et stort folk bliver æret,
men en konge uden et folk er intet værd.
29Den, der er tålmodig, udviser klogskab,
den opfarende skilter med sin dumhed.
30Fred i sindet giver helse til kroppen,
bitterhed14,30 Eller: „jalousi”. æder én op indefra.
31At udnytte de magtesløse er at håne deres Skaber,
at hjælpe de nødlidende er at ære Gud.
32Onde mennesker går til grunde i deres ondskab,
de retskafne er i sikkerhed, selv når døden banker på.14,32 Eller ud fra LXX: „Den onde falder på grund af sin ondskab, men den retskafne reddes af sin retskaffenhed.”
33Visdommen tager bolig i et forstandigt menneske,
men den finder ikke fodfæste i en tåbe.14,33 Efter LXX. Den hebraiske tekst mangler ordet ikke.
34Retskaffenhed ophøjer en nation,
synd er en skamplet på ethvert folk.
35En klog tjener nyder velvilje hos kongen,
en skamløs tjener får hans vrede at føle.
