Pwovèb 18
1 Moun k'ap viv apa se tèt li ase li konnen. Li move sou tout moun ki vle ba li bon konsèy.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Moun sòt pa pran plezi l' nan chache konprann. Tou sa l'ap chache se fè moun konprann li gen lespri.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Y'ap meprize moun k'ap fè mechanste. Moun ki pa fè respè tèt yo gen pou yo wont.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
4 Pawòl moun ki gen konprann fon kou lanmè, fre tankou yon sous k'ap koule tout tan.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Sa pa bon pou ou pran pou moun mechan, ni pou ou enpoze yo rann moun inonsan jistis.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgement.
6 Depi moun sòt ap pale, se kont l'ap chache. Si ou koute pawòl nan bouch li, w'a ba l' kou.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 Bouch moun sòt se kondannasyon li. Pawòl ki soti nan bouch li tounen pèlen pou li.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Tripotay dous nan zòrèy moun ki vle tande yo. Sa mache nan san yo.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Moun ki parese nan travay li se menmman parèyman ak moun k'ap defèt sa k'ap fèt.
A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 Seyè a, se yon gwo ranpa byen solid. Se la moun k'ap mache dwat yo kouri al chache pwoteksyon.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Pou moun rich yo, byen yo tankou yon ranpa byen solid. Yo mete nan tèt yo se sa k'ap pwoteje yo.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Lè w'ap fè awogans, yo pa lwen kraze ou. Lè ou fè kò ou piti, y'a fè lwanj ou.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
13 Moun ki prese reponn san koute sa y'ap di l', se moun sòt li ye. Li gen pou l' wont.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Lè yon moun anvi viv, sa ede l' anpil lè li malad. Men, si li dekouraje, ki moun ki ka remoute kouraj li?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Yon moun lespri ap toujou chache gen plis konesans. Zòrèy moun ki gen bon konprann toujou pare pou l' ka konnen plis toujou.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Kado ou fè louvri chemen pou ou toupatou, ata chemen ki mennen lakay grannèg.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him amongst princes.
17 Moun ki pale anvan nan tribinal toujou sanble li gen rezon. Lè lòt moun lan parèt, kat je kontre, manti kaba.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Lè de grannèg gen kont, jij yo fè tiraj osò pou konnen kilès pou yo bay rezon.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 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.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 Rekonpans yon moun chita sou sa ki soti nan bouch li.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Sa ou di ka lavi pou ou, li ka lanmò pou ou. Sa ou chwazi, se sa w'ap jwenn.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Lè yon nonm jwenn yon bon madanm, se yon bon bagay. Se yon gwo favè Seyè a fè l'.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Lè yon pòv ap pale, li toujou nan tanpri souple. Men, moun rich toujou ap rele sou moun.
24 Gen zanmi se pran yo vin pran. Men, gen zanmi tou yo plis pase frè.
