Pwovèb 20
1 Twòp bweson fè ou pase moun nan betiz. Twòp gwòg fè ou pete kabouyay, fè lòbèy. Lè ou sou, ou aji tankou moun fou.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Lè yon wa ankòlè, se tankou yon lyon k'ap gwonde. Moun ki mete l' ankòlè a, se pwòp tèt li l'ap fè mal.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Se bèl bagay lè yon moun evite diskisyon. Moun san konprann toujou ap chache kont.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Parese pa pare tè li lè pou l' te pare l', li di fè twò frèt. Lè rekòt rive, li pa jwenn anyen nan jaden l'.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Lide yon nonm gen nan tèt li, se tankou dlo nan yon pi byen fon. Men, yon moun lespri ka rale yo mete deyò.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Anpil moun ap mache di jan yo se moun serye. Men, ou pa fasil jwenn yon moun ou ka fè konfyans.
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Lè yon papa se moun serye, li fè sa ki dwat. Sa bon nèt pou pitit li yo.
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Lè yon wa chita sou fòtèy li, l'ap rann jistis, li wè sa ki mal ak sa ki byen.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Ki moun ki ka di: mwen lave konsyans mwen, mwen wete tout peche ki te sou li?
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Seyè a pa ka sipòte moun k'ap sèvi ak de pwa de mezi.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Yon timoun moutre ou sa l'ap soti nan sa l'ap fè. Ou ka di si l'ap serye, si l'ap bon.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Se Seyè a ki ban nou je pou nou ka wè, se li menm ki ban nou zòrèy pou nou ka tande.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Pa renmen dòmi twòp pou ou pa vin pòv. Souke kò ou. W'a jwenn kont manje pou ou manje.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 Lè moun ap machande, machandiz pa janm bon. Fini yo fin achte, y'ap mache di jan yo fè yon bon zafè.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Lè yon moun ki gen konprann ap pale sa gen plis valè pase kantite lò ak pyè ki koute chè.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Si yon moun sòt jouk pou li asepte bay pawòl li pou dèt yon etranje, se pou yo pran ata rad ki sou li jouk lòt la peye.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Lajan ou fè nan move kondisyon ka dous lè ou fèk genyen l'. Men, apre sa, se tankou ti wòch anba dan.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Pran konsèy, tou sa ou gen lide fè ap mache byen. Pa kouri fè lagè san ou pa konnen sa w'ap fè.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Bouch alèlè pa kenbe sekrè. Pa mele ak moun ki pale twòp.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Moun ki bay manman l' ak papa l' madichon p'ap viv lontan.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Richès ou ranmase fasil fasil p'ap janm vin yon benediksyon pou ou.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Pa janm di se ou ki pou vanje tèt ou. Mete konfyans ou nan Seyè a, l'a delivre ou.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Seyè a pa ka sipòte moun k'ap sèvi ak de pwa de mezi. Sa pa bon pou ou sèvi ak move balans.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Se Seyè a ki louvri chemen devan nou. Ki jan lèzòm ka rive konprann lavi?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Pa prese fè Bondye pwomès. Ou ka règrèt sa pita.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Yon wa ki gen bon konprann ap rive dekouvri tout mechan yo. L'ap san pitye lè l'ap pini yo.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Se Seyè a ki ban nou konsyans nou. Se tankou yon lanp k'ap klere pou fè nou wè tou sa n'ap fè.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Yon wa ap rete wa si li se nèg serye, si li toujou kenbe pawòl li. L'ap toujou wa si li pa nan patipri.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Se kouraj ki fè valè yon jenn gason. Men, pou granmoun, se cheve blan l' yo ki fè valè l'.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Move esperyans ka fè nou chanje. Malè ka fè nou vin gen bon santiman.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
