Pwovèb 17
1 Pi bon se yon mòso pen sèch ak lapè pase yon kay ak gwo manje nan konfli.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting 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 servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Po rafine se pou ajan, e founo se pou lò; men SENYÈ a ap sonde tout kè.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tests the hearts.
4 Yon malfektè koute lèv mechan yo; yon mantè prete atansyon a yon lang kap detwi.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Sila ki moke malere a moke Kreyatè li; sila ki rejwi nan malè a, p ap soti san pinisyon.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
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; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Bèl diskou pa byen koresponn ak yon moun ki ensanse, bokou mwens lèv kap manti sou yon prens.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 Vèse kòb anba tab se tankou wanga pou mèt li; nenpòt kote li vire, li byen reyisi.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Sila ki kouvri yon transgresyon, chache lanmou; men sila ki repete yon koze, separe bon zanmi yo.
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 Yon repwòch antre pi fon nan moun bon konprann nan pase anpil kou sou yon moun ensanse.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Yon nonm rebèl se mal l ap chache; konsa, yon mesaje byen sovaj va voye kont li.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Pito yon nonm rankontre yon lous fewòs ki separe de pitit li, pase yon moun ensanse nan mitan foli li.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Pou sila ki remèt mal pou byen an, mal la p ap janm kite lakay li.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Kòmansman a konfli se tankou pete gwo baryè dlo; konsa, kite kont la avan l kòmanse.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 Sila ki bay rezon a mechan an, ni sila ki kondane moun dwat la; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Poukisa gen kòb nan men moun ensanse a pou l achte sajès, konsi, li pa konprann anyen?
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
17 Yon zanmi renmen tout tan; yon frè fèt pou move tan.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Yon nonm ki manke konprann sèvi garanti, e devni responsab nan prezans a vwazen li.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Sila ki renmen vyole lalwa a renmen konfli; sila ki awogan an, chache gwo dega.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 Sila ki gen panse kwochi a, pa jwenn anyen ki bon, e sila ki pèvès nan pawòl li yo tonbe nan mal.
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 Sila ki fè pitit ki san konprann nan, fè l nan tristès; e papa a yon moun ensanse pa gen kè kontan.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 Yon kè kontan se bon remèd; men yon lespri brize seche tout zo.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 Yon nonm mechan an resevwa kòb anba tab an sekrè; pou l tòde chemen lajistis.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
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.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
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 brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Anplis, li pa bon pou pini moun dwat la, ni pou frape prens yo akoz entegrite yo.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Sila ki kenbe pawòl li, gen konesans; e sila ki gen lespri kalm nan se yon nonm ak bon konprann.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Menm yon moun ensanse, lè l rete an silans, konsidere kon saj; lè l fèmen lèv li, li parèt rezonab.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
