Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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 as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
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 person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare 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 a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 runneth into it, and is safe.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The rich man’s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto 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 will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
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 offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [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.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
[Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
