Pwovèb 20
1 Diven se yon mokè, e bwason fò fè goumen rive nan tenten; nenpòt moun ki vin sou pa li, pa saj.
It is a luxurious thing, wine, and inebriation is tumultuous. Anyone who is delighted by this will not be wise.
2 Laperèz a wa a se tankou gwo vwa lyon k ap rele fò; sila ki fè l fache va pèdi lavi l.
Just like the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king. Whoever provokes him sins in his own soul.
3 Rete lwen konfli ak rayisman, e ou va gen respe; alò, nenpòt moun ensanse ka fè yon kont.
Honor is for the man who separates himself from contentions. But all the foolish meddle in altercations.
4 Parese a pa laboure tè nan sezon otòn; akoz sa li mande charite pandan rekòlt la, e li p ap gen anyen.
Because of the cold, the lazy one was not willing to plough. Therefore, in the summer, he will beg, and it will not be given to him.
5 Yon plan nan kè moun se tankou dlo fon; men yon nonm ak bon konprann rale l fè l sòti.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep waters. But a wise man will draw it out.
6 Gen anpil moun ki pwomèt fidelite; men kibò pou jwenn yon nonm onèt?
Many men are called merciful. But who will find a faithful man?
7 Yon nonm dwat ki mache nan entegrite l; A la beni fis ki vini apre li yo beni!
The just who walks in his simplicity shall leave behind him blessed sons.
8 Yon wa ki chita sou twòn lajistis fè tout mal sove ale ak pwòp zye l.
The king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his gaze.
9 Se kilès ki kapab di: “Mwen te netwaye kè m; mwen vin pirifye de tout peche m?”
Who is able to say: “My heart is clean. I am pure from sin?”
10 Balans ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Diverse weights, diverse measures: both are abominable with God.
11 Menm yon ti moun se rekonnet pa zèv li yo; si li aji byen e si kondwit li dwat.
A child may be understood by his interests: whether his works may be clean and upright.
12 Zòrèy ki tande ak zye ki wè; se SENYÈ a ki te fè tou de.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye: 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, lest deprivation oppress you. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.
14 “Pa bon, pa bon”, di sila k ap achte a; men lè l fè wout li, li pale kè l kontan.
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.
15 Gen lò ak tout kalite bijou; men lèv plèn konesans se pi bèl bagay.
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
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 away the vestments of him who stands up to vouch for a stranger, and take a pledge from him instead of from outsiders.
17 Pen kòn twouve nan bay manti dous; men pita, bouch la plen gravye.
The bread of lies is sweet to a man. But afterwards, his mouth will be filled with pebbles.
18 Fè tout plan ak konsiltasyon; fè lagè ak konsèy saj.
Plans are strengthened by counsels. And wars are to be handled by governments.
19 Sila ki difame moun devwale sekrè; pou sa a, pa asosye ou ak moun ki mache bouch ouvri.
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.
20 Sila ki modi papa li oswa manman li an, lanp li va etenn nan tan fènwa.
Whoever curses his father and mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the midst of darkness.
21 Yon eritaj ranmase vit nan kòmansman a, p ap beni nan lafen.
When an inheritance is obtained hastily in the beginning, in the end it will be without a blessing.
22 Pa di: “M ap rekonpanse mechanste”; tann SENYÈ a, e Li va sove ou.
Do not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for the Lord, and he will free you.
23 Pwa ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Diverse weights are an abomination with the Lord. A deceitful balance is not good.
24 Pa a yon nonm regle pa SENYÈ a; konsa, kijan yon nonm kab vin konprann chemen li?
The steps of men are directed by the Lord. But who is the man able to 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 ruin for a man to devour what is holy, or, after making vows, to retract them.
26 Yon wa ki saj va vannen mechan yo e fè wou moulen pase anwo yo.
A wise king scatters the impious and bends an archway 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 a lamp to the Lord, which investigates all the secrets of the inner self.
28 Fidelite ak verite prezève wa a, e ladwati bay twòn li an soutyen.
Mercy and truth guard the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Glwa a jèn yo se fòs yo, e lonè a granmoun yo se cheve blan yo.
The joy of youths is their strength. And the dignity of old men is their grey hairs.
30 Kout fwèt ki blese fè disparèt mechanste; li frape rive nan pati pi fon yo.
The bruise of a wound, as well as scourges, shall wipe away evils in the more secret places of the inner self.
