Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Pawòl yo ki sòti nan bouch a yon nonm se yon dlo byen fon; dlo sajès se yon dlo fre k ap koule tout tan.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Pawòl a sila ki chichote pawòl nan zòrèy moun nan se tankou bonbon ki gen gou dous; se jis nan fon kò a yo desann.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 Non SENYÈ a se yon sitadèl byen fò; moun ladwati a kouri ladann pou jwenn sekou.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 Lespri a yon nonm kapab sipòte maladi; men nan ka lespri brize a, se kilès ki kab sipòte li?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 Yon frè ki blese se pi rèd pou konvenk pase yon vil fòtifye; konfli ak li se tankou ba fè nan yon sitadèl.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Se fwi a bouch moun ki satisfè vant li; l ap satisfè ak sa ke lèv li pwodwi.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Lanmò ak lavi nan pouvwa a lang lan; e sila ki renmen l yo, va manje fwi li.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
