Pwovèb 17
1 Pito ou manje yon grenn bannann chèch ak kè poze pase pou ou fè gwo fèt nan mitan dezagreman.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 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.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions amongst brethren.
3 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.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 Mechan yo toujou prèt pou koute moun k'ap di move pawòl. Zòrèy mantò yo toujou louvri pou koute moun k'ap bay manti.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 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'.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6 Pitit pitit se rekonpans granmoun. Manman ak papa se kontantman pitit.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Yon moun sòt pa ka di anyen ki bon. Konsa tou, yon moun serye pa nan bay manti.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 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.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 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.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 Lè ou fè yon moun ki gen konprann repwòch, sa touche kè l'. Men, ata san kout baton p'ap chanje yon moun sòt.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Mechan toujou ap fè rebelyon, men y'a voye yon sanmanman regle avè l'.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Pito ou kontre ak yon manman lous k'ap chache pitit li pase pou ou tonbe sou yon moun fou foli moute.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Si ou aji mal avèk moun ki fè ou byen, malè ap toujou rive lakay ou.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 Lè yon kont pete, se tankou dlo ki kase dig kannal. Anvan batay mete pye, chape kò ou.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 Se de kalite moun Seyè a pa ka sipòte: moun k'ap kondannen inonsan ak moun k'ap pran pou mechan yo.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Yon moun sòt te mèt gen kont lajan nan men l', li p'ap janm ka gen konesans. Li pa gen konprann.
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
17 Yon bon zanmi p'ap janm trayi. Jou malè l'ap tankou yon frè pou ou.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 Fòk yon moun pèdi tèt li nèt pou l' garanti dèt yon lòt moun.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 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.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 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.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 Se lapenn pou yon papa ki fè yon pitit ki san konprann. Papa yon pitit sòt p'ap janm gen kè kontan.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 Kè kontan bay lasante. Men, lè ou kagou, w'ap deperi sou pye.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 Malveyan pran lajan nan men moun pou enpoze jistis fèt.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 Yon moun ki gen bon konprann toujou ap chache konesans. Men, moun sòt pa konn sa li vle.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25 Yon timoun ki san konprann, se chagren pou papa l', se gwo lapenn pou manman l' ki fè l'.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Se pa jistis pou inonsan peye pou koupab. Pa gen jistis lè yo bat moun ki pa fè mal.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Moun ki gen konesans pa nan pale anpil. Moun ki rete dousman se moun ki gen konprann.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 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.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
