Pwovèb 20
1 Diven se yon mokè, e bwason fò fè goumen rive nan tenten; nenpòt moun ki vin sou pa li, pa saj.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Laperèz a wa a se tankou gwo vwa lyon k ap rele fò; sila ki fè l fache va pèdi lavi l.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Rete lwen konfli ak rayisman, e ou va gen respe; alò, nenpòt moun ensanse ka fè yon kont.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Parese a pa laboure tè nan sezon otòn; akoz sa li mande charite pandan rekòlt la, e li p ap gen anyen.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Yon plan nan kè moun se tankou dlo fon; men yon nonm ak bon konprann rale l fè l sòti.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Gen anpil moun ki pwomèt fidelite; men kibò pou jwenn yon nonm onèt?
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Yon nonm dwat ki mache nan entegrite l; A la beni fis ki vini apre li yo beni!
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Yon wa ki chita sou twòn lajistis fè tout mal sove ale ak pwòp zye l.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Se kilès ki kapab di: “Mwen te netwaye kè m; mwen vin pirifye de tout peche m?”
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Balans ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Menm yon ti moun se rekonnet pa zèv li yo; si li aji byen e si kondwit li dwat.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Zòrèy ki tande ak zye ki wè; se SENYÈ a ki te fè tou de.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Pa renmen dòmi, sinon ou va vin malere; ouvri zye ou e ou va satisfè ak manje.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 “Pa bon, pa bon”, di sila k ap achte a; men lè l fè wout li, li pale kè l kontan.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Gen lò ak tout kalite bijou; men lèv plèn konesans se pi bèl bagay.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Lè l sèvi garanti pou yon enkoni, pran manto li; epi pou fanm andeyò a, fè papye pwose vèbal pou sa li pwomèt la.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Pen kòn twouve nan bay manti dous; men pita, bouch la plen gravye.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Fè tout plan ak konsiltasyon; fè lagè ak konsèy saj.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Sila ki difame moun devwale sekrè; pou sa a, pa asosye ou ak moun ki mache bouch ouvri.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Sila ki modi papa li oswa manman li an, lanp li va etenn nan tan fènwa.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Yon eritaj ranmase vit nan kòmansman a, p ap beni nan lafen.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Pa di: “M ap rekonpanse mechanste”; tann SENYÈ a, e Li va sove ou.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Pwa ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Pa a yon nonm regle pa SENYÈ a; konsa, kijan yon nonm kab vin konprann chemen li?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Se yon pèlen pou yon nonm ta di avèk enpridans: “Sa sen!” e aprè ve yo fèt, pou fè ankèt.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Yon wa ki saj va vannen mechan yo e fè wou moulen pase anwo yo.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Lespri a lòm se lanp SENYÈ a, ki chache pati ki pi entim nan li yo.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Fidelite ak verite prezève wa a, e ladwati bay twòn li an soutyen.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Glwa a jèn yo se fòs yo, e lonè a granmoun yo se cheve blan yo.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Kout fwèt ki blese fè disparèt mechanste; li frape rive nan pati pi fon yo.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
