Pwovèb 22
1 Yon bon non pi bon pase tout richès; e favè Bondye, pase ajan ak lò.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 Rich la ak malere a mare ansanm; se SENYÈ a ki fè yo tout.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 Sila ki reflechi, wè mal e kache kò li; men ensanse yo antre ladann e jwenn pinisyon.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 Rekonpans pou imilite avèk lakrent SENYÈ a se richès, bon repitasyon, ak lavi.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Pikan ak pèlen se nan chemen a pèvès yo; sila ki veye nanm li, va rete lwen yo.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 Leve yon timoun nan chemen li ta dwe ale, e lè li vin gran, li p ap kite li; menm lè l granmoun, li p ap kite li.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 Rich yo domine sou pòv yo, e moun ki prete vin esklav a sila k ap bay prè a.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Sila ki simen inikite a va rekòlte vanite; e baton kòlè li a va detwi.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 Sila ki bay ak men louvri va beni; paske li bay manje a malere.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Mete moun k ap moke moun yo deyò, e diskisyon an prale tou; wi, konfli ak dezonore moun ap sispann.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 Sila ki renmen kè ki san tach e ki pale ak gras, va zanmi a wa a.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 Zye a SENYÈ a konsève konesans; men Li boulvèse pawòl moun malveyan yo.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 Parese a di: “Gen yon lyon deyò a; m ap mouri nan lari!”
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 Bouch a fanm adiltè a se yon fòs byen fon; sila ke SENYÈ a modi va tonbe ladann.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Foli mare nan kè a yon timoun; baton disiplin nan va retire sa mete lwen li.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 Sila ki oprime malere a pou ogmante tèt li; ni sila k ap fè kado a rich yo, va rive nan povrete.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Apiye zòrèy ou pou tande pawòl a saj yo; epi aplike ou a konesans mwen.
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 Paske sa va byen agreyab pou ou si ou kenbe yo anndan ou, pou yo toujou prè sou lèv ou.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 Pou konfyans ou kapab nan SENYÈ a, mwen te enstwi ou jodi a, menm ou menm nan.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Èske mwen pa t ekri ou trant bèl bagay, de konsèy ak konesans yo?
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 Pou fè ou konnen vrè pawòl verite yo, pou ou kab byen reponn sila ki te voye ou a?
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Pa vòlè malere a paske li pòv, ni kraze aflije nan pòtay la;
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 paske, SENYÈ a va plede ka yo e pran lavi a sila ki vòlè yo.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Pa asosye ak yon nonm ki livre a kòlè; oswa ale ak yon moun kolerik,
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 sinon, ou va aprann mès li yo e jwenn yon pèlen pou tèt ou.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Pa konte pami sila ki sèvi kon garanti yo, pami sila ki fè sekirite pou dèt yo.
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 Si ou pa gen mwayen pou ou kab peye, poukisa ou ta kite l rale kabann nan sòti anba ou?
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Pa deplase ansyen bòn ke papa zansèt nou yo te mete a.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 Èske ou wè yon nonm byen abil nan travay li? Li va kanpe devan wa yo; li p ap oblije kanpe devan nenpòt kalite vye moun.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
