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.
For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
2 Moun sòt pa pran plezi l' nan chache konprann. Tou sa l'ap chache se fè moun konprann li gen lespri.
A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
3 Y'ap meprize moun k'ap fè mechanste. Moun ki pa fè respè tèt yo gen pou yo wont.
When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
4 Pawòl moun ki gen konprann fon kou lanmè, fre tankou yon sous k'ap koule tout tan.
The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
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 wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
6 Depi moun sòt ap pale, se kont l'ap chache. Si ou koute pawòl nan bouch li, w'a ba l' kou.
A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Bouch moun sòt se kondannasyon li. Pawòl ki soti nan bouch li tounen pèlen pou li.
A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
8 Tripotay dous nan zòrèy moun ki vle tande yo. Sa mache nan san yo.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
9 Moun ki parese nan travay li se menmman parèyman ak moun k'ap defèt sa k'ap fèt.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
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 a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is 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 rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
12 Lè w'ap fè awogans, yo pa lwen kraze ou. Lè ou fè kò ou piti, y'a fè lwanj ou.
Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
13 Moun ki prese reponn san koute sa y'ap di l', se moun sòt li ye. Li gen pou l' wont.
He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto 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?
The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
15 Yon moun lespri ap toujou chache gen plis konesans. Zòrèy moun ki gen bon konprann toujou pare pou l' ka konnen plis toujou.
A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
16 Kado ou fè louvri chemen pou ou toupatou, ata chemen ki mennen lakay grannèg.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 Moun ki pale anvan nan tribinal toujou sanble li gen rezon. Lè lòt moun lan parèt, kat je kontre, manti kaba.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
18 Lè de grannèg gen kont, jij yo fè tiraj osò pou konnen kilès pou yo bay rezon.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
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 offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
20 Rekonpans yon moun chita sou sa ki soti nan bouch li.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Sa ou di ka lavi pou ou, li ka lanmò pou ou. Sa ou chwazi, se sa w'ap jwenn.
Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
22 Lè yon nonm jwenn yon bon madanm, se yon bon bagay. Se yon gwo favè Seyè a fè l'.
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
23 Lè yon pòv ap pale, li toujou nan tanpri souple. Men, moun rich toujou ap rele sou moun.
The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Gen zanmi se pran yo vin pran. Men, gen zanmi tou yo plis pase frè.
A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
