Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Pito ou manje yon grenn bannann chèch ak kè poze pase pou ou fè gwo fèt nan mitan dezagreman.
2 A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
Yon esklav ki gen konprann va chèf sou yon pitit ki fè papa l' wont. L'a jwenn pa l' nan eritaj papa a tankou tout pitit.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
Se dife sèl ki ka fè ou konnen si lò osinon ajan ou genyen an se bon kalite. Konsa tou, se Seyè a sèl ki konnen sa ki nan kè moun.
4 An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Mechan yo toujou prèt pou koute moun k'ap di move pawòl. Zòrèy mantò yo toujou louvri pou koute moun k'ap bay manti.
5 He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Lè w'ap pase yon pòv malere nan betiz, se Bondye ki fè l' la w'ap derespekte. Moun ki kontan lè malè rive yon lòt, Bondye ap pini l'.
6 Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
Pitit pitit se rekonpans granmoun. Manman ak papa se kontantman pitit.
7 Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
Yon moun sòt pa ka di anyen ki bon. Konsa tou, yon moun serye pa nan bay manti.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
Moun ki sèvi ak lajan pou pran tèt moun konprann lajan se wanga. Yo kwè se pou yo reyisi nan tou sa y'ap fè.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
Si ou vle moun renmen ou, padonnen lè yo fè ou mal. Si w'ap mache repete bagay moun fè ki mal, w'ap mete zanmi dozado.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Lè ou fè yon moun ki gen konprann repwòch, sa touche kè l'. Men, ata san kout baton p'ap chanje yon moun sòt.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Mechan toujou ap fè rebelyon, men y'a voye yon sanmanman regle avè l'.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
Pito ou kontre ak yon manman lous k'ap chache pitit li pase pou ou tonbe sou yon moun fou foli moute.
13 He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Si ou aji mal avèk moun ki fè ou byen, malè ap toujou rive lakay ou.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
Lè yon kont pete, se tankou dlo ki kase dig kannal. Anvan batay mete pye, chape kò ou.
15 He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
Se de kalite moun Seyè a pa ka sipòte: moun k'ap kondannen inonsan ak moun k'ap pran pou mechan yo.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Yon moun sòt te mèt gen kont lajan nan men l', li p'ap janm ka gen konesans. Li pa gen konprann.
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Yon bon zanmi p'ap janm trayi. Jou malè l'ap tankou yon frè pou ou.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
Fòk yon moun pèdi tèt li nèt pou l' garanti dèt yon lòt moun.
19 He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
Moun ki renmen chache kont renmen fè sa ki mal. Moun k'ap pale avèk awogans, se moun k'ap mache ak sèkèy yo anba bra yo.
20 He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
Yon moun ki pa gen bon lide nan tèt li p'ap janm gen kè kontan. Moun ki gen move lang ap toujou nan traka.
21 He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
Se lapenn pou yon papa ki fè yon pitit ki san konprann. Papa yon pitit sòt p'ap janm gen kè kontan.
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Kè kontan bay lasante. Men, lè ou kagou, w'ap deperi sou pye.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
Malveyan pran lajan nan men moun pou enpoze jistis fèt.
24 Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Yon moun ki gen bon konprann toujou ap chache konesans. Men, moun sòt pa konn sa li vle.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Yon timoun ki san konprann, se chagren pou papa l', se gwo lapenn pou manman l' ki fè l'.
26 Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
Se pa jistis pou inonsan peye pou koupab. Pa gen jistis lè yo bat moun ki pa fè mal.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Moun ki gen konesans pa nan pale anpil. Moun ki rete dousman se moun ki gen konprann.
28 Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
Moun ki gen lespri pa janm cho pou pale. Men moun sòt, lè yo rete ak bouch yo fèmen, yo pase pou moun ki gen konprann.
