Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
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 like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for 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 one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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 upright man running into it is safe.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
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 will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Yon frè ki blese se pi rèd pou konvenk pase yon vil fòtifye; konfli ak li se tankou ba fè nan yon sitadèl.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Se fwi a bouch moun ki satisfè vant li; l ap satisfè ak sa ke lèv li pwodwi.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Lanmò ak lavi nan pouvwa a lang lan; e sila ki renmen l yo, va manje fwi li.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
