Proverbs 31
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
Pawòl a wa Lemuel yo; pwofesi ke manman li te ansegne li a:
2 What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
“O fis mwen an! O fis a vant mwen an! O fis a ve mwen yo!
3 Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
Pa bay fòs ou a fanm, ni wout ou a sila ki konn detwi wa yo.
4 Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
Se pa pou wa yo, O Lemuel, se pa pou wa yo bwè diven, ni pou chèf yo ta bwè diven,
5 For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
Paske y ap bwè epi vin bliye dekrè ki te fèt la, e tòde dwa a sila ki aflije yo.
6 Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Bay bwason fò a sila k ap peri a, ak diven a sila ki gen lavi anmè a.
7 Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
Kite li bwè pou bliye mizè li e pa sonje pwoblèm li ankò.
8 Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
Ouvri bouch ou pou bèbè a; pou dwa yo a tout sila ki san sekou.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Ouvri bouch ou, fè jijman ak dwati, e defann dwa a aflije yo ak endijan an.”
10 Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
Yon madanm ki ekselan, se kilès ki ka twouve li? Paske valè li depase bijou.
11 Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
Kè a mari li mete konfyans nan li e li p ap manke reyisi.
12 She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
Li fè l sa ki bon e pa sa ki mal pandan tout jou lavi li.
13 She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
Li chache lèn ak len e travay avèk men l ak kè kontan.
14 Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
Li tankou bato komès; li mennen manje li soti byen lwen.
15 She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
Anplis, li leve pandan li toujou fènwa pou bay manje a tout lakay li, ak yon pòsyon pou sèvant li yo.
16 She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
Li konsidere yon chan e achte li. Ak benefis travay li, li plante yon chan rezen.
17 She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
Li mare senti l ak gwo fòs pou fè bra li vin fò.
18 She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
Li santi ke siksè li bon; lanp li pa janm etenn lannwit.
19 She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
Li lonje men l vè aparèy tise a e men l kenbe l.
20 She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
Li lonje men l vè pòv yo avèk sila ki gen bezwen an.
21 She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
Lakay li pa fè krent pou lanèj, paske tout lakay abiye an wouj.
22 She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
Li fè kouvèti pou tèt li; tout vètman li se twal fen blan ak mov.
23 Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
Mari li byen rekonèt nan pòtay lavil yo, lè l chita pami ansyen a peyi yo.
24 She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
Li fè vètman an len pou vann yo, e founi sentiwon a tout komèsan yo.
25 She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Fòs ak respè se abiman li e li souri a lavni.
26 She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
Li ouvri bouch li avèk sajès e enstriksyon ladousè sou lang li.
27 She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
Li gade byen tout afè lakay li e li pa manje pen laparès.
28 Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
Pitit li yo leve e beni li; mari li tou ba li gwo lwanj pou di l:
29 “Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
“Anpil fi te fè byen bon; men ou pi bon anpil pase yo tout.”
30 Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
Chàm konn twonpe e bèlte konn vanite; men se fanm nan ki krent SENYÈ a k ap resevwa lwanj.
31 Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
Ba li sa ke men l te pwodwi, epi kite zèv li yo fè lwanj li nan pòtay yo.
