Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Maloba ya monoko ya moto ezalaka lokola mayi ya mozindo; etima ya bwanya ezalaka lokola mayi ya ebale oyo etondi makasi.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Monoko ya moto oyo azangi mayele ememelaka ye kufa, mpe bibebu na ye ezalaka motambo mpo na molimo na ye moko.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
Kombo ya Yawe ezali lokola ndako molayi batonga makasi; moyengebene akimelaka kuna mpe azwaka ebombamelo ya makasi.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
Bomengo ya mozwi ezali engumba na ye, oyo batonga makasi; akanisaka ete ezali lokola mir ya molayi.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honour is humility.
Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
Moto ya liboso na kosamba amonanaka lokola nde alongi; kasi soki moto oyo azali kosamba na ye ayei, akotelemela ye.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Kokota lisusu na motema ya ndeko oyo osali mabe ezalaka pasi koleka kokota na engumba batonga makasi; mpe koswana na moto ezali lokola kokanga bikuke ya ndako batonga makasi na bibende ya minene.
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
Moto atondisaka libumu na ye na nzela ya mbuma ya monoko na ye mpe akotonda na lifuti ya bibebu na ye.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Kufa mpe bomoi ezali na se ya nguya ya lolemo; moto oyo alingaka lolemo akolia mbuma na yango.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Moto oyo azalaka na balingami ebele amitiaka na pasi, kasi ezali na molingami moko ya motema, oyo aleki ata ndeko.
