Pwovèb 17
1 Pi bon se yon mòso pen sèch ak lapè pase yon kay ak gwo manje nan konfli.
Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 Yon sèvitè ki aji avèk sajès va renye sou yon fis ki aji ak wont; li va pataje eritaj la pami frè yo.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 Po rafine se pou ajan, e founo se pou lò; men SENYÈ a ap sonde tout kè.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 Yon malfektè koute lèv mechan yo; yon mantè prete atansyon a yon lang kap detwi.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Sila ki moke malere a moke Kreyatè li; sila ki rejwi nan malè a, p ap soti san pinisyon.
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 a pitit se kouwòn a granmoun, e glwa a fis yo se papa yo.
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 Bèl diskou pa byen koresponn ak yon moun ki ensanse, bokou mwens lèv kap manti sou yon prens.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 Vèse kòb anba tab se tankou wanga pou mèt li; nenpòt kote li vire, li byen reyisi.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 Sila ki kouvri yon transgresyon, chache lanmou; men sila ki repete yon koze, separe bon zanmi yo.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 Yon repwòch antre pi fon nan moun bon konprann nan pase anpil kou sou yon moun ensanse.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Yon nonm rebèl se mal l ap chache; konsa, yon mesaje byen sovaj va voye kont li.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Pito yon nonm rankontre yon lous fewòs ki separe de pitit li, pase yon moun ensanse nan mitan foli li.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Pou sila ki remèt mal pou byen an, mal la p ap janm kite lakay li.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 Kòmansman a konfli se tankou pete gwo baryè dlo; konsa, kite kont la avan l kòmanse.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 Sila ki bay rezon a mechan an, ni sila ki kondane moun dwat la; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Poukisa gen kòb nan men moun ensanse a pou l achte sajès, konsi, li pa konprann anyen?
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 zanmi renmen tout tan; yon frè fèt pou move tan.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 Yon nonm ki manke konprann sèvi garanti, e devni responsab nan prezans a vwazen li.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 Sila ki renmen vyole lalwa a renmen konfli; sila ki awogan an, chache gwo dega.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 Sila ki gen panse kwochi a, pa jwenn anyen ki bon, e sila ki pèvès nan pawòl li yo tonbe nan mal.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 Sila ki fè pitit ki san konprann nan, fè l nan tristès; e papa a yon moun ensanse pa 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 Yon kè kontan se bon remèd; men yon lespri brize seche tout zo.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 Yon nonm mechan an resevwa kòb anba tab an sekrè; pou l tòde chemen lajistis.
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 Sajès se devan fas a sila ki gen bon konprann nan; men zye a moun ensanse yo chache jis rive nan tout pwent latè.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth.
25 Yon fis ki san konprann se yon tèt chaje a papa l, ak gwo chagren a sila ki te pòte li a.
A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Anplis, li pa bon pou pini moun dwat la, ni pou frape prens yo akoz entegrite yo.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Sila ki kenbe pawòl li, gen konesans; e sila ki gen lespri kalm nan se yon nonm ak bon konprann.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Menm yon moun ensanse, lè l rete an silans, konsidere kon saj; lè l fèmen lèv li, li parèt rezonab.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
