Pwovèb 31
1 Men Pawòl wa Lemwèl, men konsèy manman l' te ba li:
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 Kisa pou m' di ou, pitit mwen, pitit ki soti nan zantray mwen? Se mwen ki te mande Bondye pou l' ban mwen ou. Kisa pou m' di ou?
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Pa gaspiye kouray ou nan fanm. Veye zo ou ak fanm k'ap fè malè chèf yo.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Lemwèl monchè, yon wa pa fèt pou nan bwè bweson. Chèf pa fèt pou nan bwè gwòg.
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 Lè yo bwè konsa, yo bliye lòd yo te bay. Yo p'ap pran ka malere yo.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Se moun ki dekouraje ak lavi ki tonbe nan gwòg. Se moun ki gen gwo lapenn nan kè yo ki lage kò yo nan bweson.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Yo bwè pou yo bliye mizè yo, pou yo pa chonje lapenn yo.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Louvri bouch ou pale pou moun ki pa ka pale pou tèt yo. Defann kòz moun ki san sekou yo.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Pale pou yo. Pa fè patipri. Defann kòz malere yo ak endijan yo.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Sa pa fasil pou moun jwenn yon bon madanm. Lè li jwenn li, li gen plis valè pase yon boul lò.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 Mari l' mete tout konfyans li nan li. Tout bagay ap mache byen lakay li.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 Madanm lan p'ap janm aji mal ak mari l', l'ap pase tout lavi l' ap fè l' byen.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Li chache lenn mouton ak fil swa, li travay yo fè twal ak men l'.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 Tankou bato k'ap pote machandiz, li al byen lwen chache manje mete nan kay la.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 Solèy poko leve, li gen tan sou pye l', l'ap pare manje pou moun nan kay la. L'ap di sèvant yo sa pou yo fè.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 Li fè lide sou yon tè, li achte l' ak lajan li fè ak men l'. Li fè jaden rezen sou li.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 Li mare ren l', li twouse manch rad li pou l' travay.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 Li santi zafè l' ap mache byen, li rete byen ta lannwit ap travay.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Li file koton, li koud rad li.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Li lonje men l' bay pòv. Li pran ka malere.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 Li pa pè fredi pou moun lakay li, paske tout moun gen rad cho pou mete sou yo.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Li fè kouvèti lenn pou kabann yo. Tout rad li yo fèt ak twal wouj tise byen sere.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Mari l', se yonn nan chèf fanmi lavil la. Tout moun lavil la ap nonmen non l' an byen.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Madanm li fe rad pou l' vann, li fè bèl senti, li vann yo ak machann.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Li gen anpil kouraj, tout moun respekte l', li pa pè denmen.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Lè li louvri bouch li, se bon konsèy li bay. Li toujou gen bon pawòl nan bouch li.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 Li konnen vire tounen tout moun nan kay la. Li toujou gen yon bagay l'ap fè.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Tout pitit li yo ap fè l' konpliman. Mari l' menm ap fè lwanj li.
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 L'ap di: Mwen konnen anpil madanm. Men ou menm, nanpwen tankou ou!
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Bèl fanm pa di bon madanm pou sa. Bèl figi pa la pou lontan. Men, y'a fè lwanj yon fanm ki gen krentif pou Seyè a.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Ba li sa ki pou li a. Lè y'a wè sa l' fè, se pou tout moun fè lwanj li.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
