Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
Ndenge nzinzi ekufa ekomisaka malasi solo mabe, ndenge wana mpe mwa bozoba ebebisaka bwanya mpe lokumu.
2 The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
Motema ya moto ya bwanya ekendaka na nzela ya malamu, kasi motema ya zoba ekendaka na nzela ya mabe.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Ata tango zoba atambolaka na nzela, bozangi mayele na ye etalisaka na bato mosusu ete azali zoba.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
Soki mokonzi atombokeli yo, kolongwa na esika na yo ya mosala te; pamba te motema ya kokita epekisaka bambeba minene.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
Namonaki mabe moko na se ya moyi, lokola libunga epai ya bakonzi:
6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
bazoba batombolami na bisika ya lokumu makasi, kasi bazwi batikali na bisika ya se.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Namonaki bawumbu kotambola likolo ya bampunda, mpe bakonzi kotambola na makolo lokola bawumbu.
8 He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
Moto oyo atimoli libulu akoki kokweya kati na yango; mpe moto oyo abuki mir ya lopango, nyoka ekoki koswa ye.
9 Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
Moto oyo abukaka mabanga akoki kozoka na yango, oyo apasolaka mabaya akoki mpe kozwa likama.
10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
Soki epasola esili minu mpe bapelisi yango te, moto oyo akosalela yango akobimisa makasi mingi; kasi bwanya epesaka elonga.
11 If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
Soki nyoka eswi moto liboso ete asakanisa yango, litomba ezali lisusu te epai ya moto oyo asakanisaka banyoka.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
Maloba ya moto ya bwanya epesaka esengo, kasi maloba ya zoba elukelaka ye makambo.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Abandaka na maloba ya bozoba mpe asukisaka na maloba ya mabe.
14 And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
Zoba alobaka mingi. Moto moko te ayebi makambo oyo ekoya; nani akoki koyebisa ye makambo oyo ekosalema sima na ye?
15 The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
Mosala ya zoba elembisaka ye, ayebi ata kutu te nzela oyo ememaka na engumba.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Mawa na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango azali mwana moke, mpe oyo bakambi na yango balangwaka masanga na tongo-tongo!
17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Esengo na mokili oyo mokonzi na yango abotama na libota ya bato minene, mpe oyo bakambi na yango baliaka na tango oyo esengeli mpo na kozwa makasi, kasi mpo na kolangwa masanga te.
18 By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
Soki moto azali goyigoyi, likolo ya ndako na ye ekobukana; soki maboko na ye elemba, ndako na ye ekotanga mayi.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
Basalaka feti mpo na kosepela, mpe masanga ya vino epesaka esengo na motema, mpe mbongo epesaka biyano na makambo nyonso.
20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Kolakela mokonzi mabe te, ezala kati na motema na yo; kolakela mozwi mabe te, ezala na mbeto na yo ya kolala, pamba te ndeke ya likolo ekoki komema maloba na yo mpe kopanza sango ya maloba na yo.
