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, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray, intoxicated, unintentional sin ·error·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 roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins ·deviates (from the standard goal)· against his own life.
3 Rete lwen konfli ak rayisman, e ou va gen respe; alò, nenpòt moun ensanse ka fè yon kont.
It is kavod ·weighty glory· for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
4 Parese a pa laboure tè nan sezon otòn; akoz sa li mande charite pandan rekòlt la, e li p ap gen anyen.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall begin harvest, and have nothing.
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 man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Gen anpil moun ki pwomèt fidelite; men kibò pou jwenn yon nonm onèt?
Many men claim to be men of chesed ·loving-kindness·, but who can find a faithful man?
7 Yon nonm dwat ki mache nan entegrite l; A la beni fis ki vini apre li yo beni!
A upright man walks in 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 the throne of judgment scatters away 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 made my heart pure. I am clean and without habitual sin ·missing the mark·?”
10 Balans ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Adonai.
11 Menm yon ti moun se rekonnet pa zèv li yo; si li aji byen e si kondwit li dwat.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Zòrèy ki tande ak zye ki wè; se SENYÈ a ki te fè tou de.
The sh'ma ·hearing obeying· ear, and the seeing eye, Adonai has made even both of them.
13 Pa renmen dòmi, sinon ou va vin malere; ouvri zye ou e ou va satisfè ak manje.
Don’t 'ahav ·affectionately love· sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall 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’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Gen lò ak tout kalite bijou; men lèv plèn konesans se pi bèl bagay.
There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
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 one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Pen kòn twouve nan bay manti dous; men pita, bouch la plen gravye.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Fè tout plan ak konsiltasyon; fè lagè ak konsèy saj.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Sila ki difame moun devwale sekrè; pou sa a, pa asosye ou ak moun ki mache bouch ouvri.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Sila ki modi papa li oswa manman li an, lanp li va etenn nan tan fènwa.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp candle shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 Yon eritaj ranmase vit nan kòmansman a, p ap beni nan lafen.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning, won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Pa di: “M ap rekonpanse mechanste”; tann SENYÈ a, e Li va sove ou.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Adonai, and he will save you.
23 Pwa ki pa ojis ak mezi ki pa ojis; tou de abominab a SENYÈ a.
Adonai detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 Pa a yon nonm regle pa SENYÈ a; konsa, kijan yon nonm kab vin konprann chemen li?
A man’s steps are from Adonai; how then can man understand his 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 snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 Yon wa ki saj va vannen mechan yo e fè wou moulen pase anwo yo.
A wise king winnows 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 man is Adonai’s lamp candle, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Fidelite ak verite prezève wa a, e ladwati bay twòn li an soutyen.
Chesed ·Loving-kindness· and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by chesed ·loving-kindness·.
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. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Kout fwèt ki blese fè disparèt mechanste; li frape rive nan pati pi fon yo.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
