Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
For [an object of] desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A fool delighteth not in understanding, But — in uncovering his heart.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
With the coming of the wicked come also hath contempt, And with shame — 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.
Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, 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 tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
He also that is remiss in his work, A brother he [is] to a destroyer.
10 Non SENYÈ a se yon sitadèl byen fò; moun ladwati a kouri ladann pou jwenn sekou.
A tower of strength [is] the name of Jehovah, Into it the righteous runneth, and is set on high.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before destruction the heart of man is high, And before honour [is] humility.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
Whoso is answering a matter before he heareth, Folly it is to him and 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 sustaineth his sickness, And a smitten spirit who doth bear?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the intelligent 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.
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.
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 transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.
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 is his belly satisfied, [From the] increase of his lips he is satisfied.
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 loving it eat its fruit.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
[Whoso] hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
[With] supplications doth the poor speak, And the rich answereth fierce things.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
A man with friends [is] to show himself friendly, And there is a lover adhering more than a brother!
