Ngeche 18
1 Ngʼat ma ok jahera dwaro mana gige ok owinj puonj moro amora.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Ngʼat mofuwo ok mor kod winjo wach to omor mana gi wacho paroge owuon.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Ka richo biro, e kaka achaya biro, to wichkuot kelo duwruok.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Weche mag dho ngʼato tut ka nam, to soko mar rieko en aora mabubni kamol.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Ok en gima ber chwako ngʼat ma timbene richo kata ketho buch ngʼato maonge ketho.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of mishpat ·justice·.
6 Lew ngʼat mofuwo kelone dhawo, to dhoge luongo goch.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Dho ngʼat mofuwo ema tieke, to lewe ema bedo obadho ne ngimane.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Weche mag kuoth chalo gi chiemo mamit; gidhiyo e chuny dhano ma iye.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Ngʼat ma jasamuoyo e tich en owadgi ngʼat maketho gik moko.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Nying Jehova Nyasaye en ohinga maratego, ngʼat makare ringo ma pond kanyo kendo yud resruok.
Adonai’s name is a strong tower: the upright run to him, and are safe.
11 Mwandu mar jomoko e ohinga mochiel motegno ma gigengʼorego, giparo ni en ohinga maonge ngʼama nyalo muko.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Kapok ngʼato opodho, to sunga bedo e chunye, to muolo kelo pak.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before kavod ·weighty glory· is humility.
13 Chik iti kapok idwoko wach; ka ok itimo kamano to ibedo mofuwo kendo ikelo wichkuot.
He who gives answer before he sh'ma ·hears obeys·, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Chuny ngʼato sire e tuo, to chuny mool, en ngʼa manyalo konyo?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Chuny ma weche donjone yudo ngʼeyo; to it mariek dwaro mondo weche odonjne.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Chiwo yawo yo ne ngʼat machiwo kendo tere e nyim jomadongo.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Ngʼat mokwongo keto wachne nenore ni en kare, nyaka ngʼat machielo bi maket penjo ne wachneno.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 Goyo ombulu tieko larruok kendo thego joma roteke.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Kiketho ne owadu to duoge iri tek mana kadonjo e dala maduongʼ mochiel motegno; to larruok chalo gi dhorangeye mag dala modin gi lodi.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Wach mawuok e dho ngʼato ema miyo ngʼato yiengʼ; keyo mar dhoge ema miyo oyiengʼ.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Lep nigi teko mar ngima kod tho, to jogo mohere biro chamo olembe.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· it will eat its fruit.
22 Ngʼatno moyudo dhako onwangʼo gima ber kendo oyudo ngʼwono moa kuom Jehova Nyasaye.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Adonai.
23 Ngʼat ma jachan ywak kokwayo ngʼwono, to ngʼat ma jamoko dwoko gi gero.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Ngʼat man-gi osiepe mangʼeny nyalo chopo e kethruok to nitie osiep moro masiko buti machiegni maloyo owadu.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a 'ahav ·affectionate lover, friend· who sticks closer than a brother.
