Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
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.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of 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 the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 Non SENYÈ a se yon sitadèl byen fò; moun ladwati a kouri ladann pou jwenn sekou.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
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 sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
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 who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 Se fwi a bouch moun ki satisfè vant li; l ap satisfè ak sa ke lèv li pwodwi.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
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. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
