< Proverbs 18 >

1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
Moun k'ap viv apa se tèt li ase li konnen. Li move sou tout moun ki vle ba li bon konsèy.
2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
Moun sòt pa pran plezi l' nan chache konprann. Tou sa l'ap chache se fè moun konprann li gen lespri.
3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
Y'ap meprize moun k'ap fè mechanste. Moun ki pa fè respè tèt yo gen pou yo wont.
4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
Pawòl moun ki gen konprann fon kou lanmè, fre tankou yon sous k'ap koule tout tan.
5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Sa pa bon pou ou pran pou moun mechan, ni pou ou enpoze yo rann moun inonsan jistis.
6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
Depi moun sòt ap pale, se kont l'ap chache. Si ou koute pawòl nan bouch li, w'a ba l' kou.
7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
Bouch moun sòt se kondannasyon li. Pawòl ki soti nan bouch li tounen pèlen pou li.
8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
Tripotay dous nan zòrèy moun ki vle tande yo. Sa mache nan san yo.
9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
Moun ki parese nan travay li se menmman parèyman ak moun k'ap defèt sa k'ap fèt.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
Seyè a, se yon gwo ranpa byen solid. Se la moun k'ap mache dwat yo kouri al chache pwoteksyon.
11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Pou moun rich yo, byen yo tankou yon ranpa byen solid. Yo mete nan tèt yo se sa k'ap pwoteje yo.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
Lè w'ap fè awogans, yo pa lwen kraze ou. Lè ou fè kò ou piti, y'a fè lwanj ou.
13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
Moun ki prese reponn san koute sa y'ap di l', se moun sòt li ye. Li gen pou l' wont.
14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
Lè yon moun anvi viv, sa ede l' anpil lè li malad. Men, si li dekouraje, ki moun ki ka remoute kouraj li?
15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
Yon moun lespri ap toujou chache gen plis konesans. Zòrèy moun ki gen bon konprann toujou pare pou l' ka konnen plis toujou.
16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
Kado ou fè louvri chemen pou ou toupatou, ata chemen ki mennen lakay grannèg.
17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
Moun ki pale anvan nan tribinal toujou sanble li gen rezon. Lè lòt moun lan parèt, kat je kontre, manti kaba.
18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
Lè de grannèg gen kont, jij yo fè tiraj osò pou konnen kilès pou yo bay rezon.
19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
Li pi fasil pou mete lapè nan yon gwo lavil pase pou ou rekonsilye de frè ki nan kont. Lè yo fache, kè yonn se pòt prizon pou lòt.
20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
Rekonpans yon moun chita sou sa ki soti nan bouch li.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
Sa ou di ka lavi pou ou, li ka lanmò pou ou. Sa ou chwazi, se sa w'ap jwenn.
22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
Lè yon nonm jwenn yon bon madanm, se yon bon bagay. Se yon gwo favè Seyè a fè l'.
23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
Lè yon pòv ap pale, li toujou nan tanpri souple. Men, moun rich toujou ap rele sou moun.
24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
Gen zanmi se pran yo vin pran. Men, gen zanmi tou yo plis pase frè.

< Proverbs 18 >