Pwovèb 26
1 Tankou lanèj nan sezon chalè a, tankou lapli nan sezon rekòlt, se konsa respè pa merite rive sou yon moun ensanse.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Tankou yon ti zwazo k ap sove ale, tankou yon ti iwondèl nan vòl li, se konsa yon madichon san koz p ap poze.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Yon fwèt se pou chwal la, yon brid pou bourik la, ak baton pou do a moun ensanse a.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Pa reponn yon moun ensanse selon foli li, oswa ou va vin tankou li.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Reponn yon moun ensanse selon foli li merite, pou l pa vin saj nan pwòp zye li.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Li koupe pwòp pye li, e bwè vyolans, ki voye yon mesaj pa men a moun ensanse a.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Tankou janm ki initil pou moun bwate a, se konsa yon pwovèb nan bouch a moun ensanse.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Tankou yon moun ki mare wòch anndan fistibal se konsa sila ki bay respè a moun ensanse a.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Tankou yon pikan ki tonbe nan men yon moun k ap bwè gwòg, se konsa yon pwovèb nan bouch a moun ki ensanse.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Tankou moun ak banza k ap blese tout moun, se konsa sila ki anplwaye moun ensanse a, ak sila ki anplwaye sila k ap pase pa aza a.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Tankou yon chen ki retounen nan vomi li, se konsa yon moun ensanse kap repete foli li.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Èske ou wè yon moun ki saj nan pwòp zye li? Gen plis espwa pou moun fou pase li menm.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Parese a di: “Gen yon lyon nan lari a! Yon lyon nan plas la!”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Tankou pòt la vire sou gon li, se konsa parese a sou kabann li.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Parese a fouye men l nan plato a; men l twò fatige pou fè l ankò rive nan bouch li.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Parese a pi saj nan pwòp zye li pase sèt moun ki kab reponn ak bon konprann.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Tankou yon moun ki pran yon chen pa zòrèy, se konsa sila k ap pase pa aza a, pou l gaye nan goumen ki pa apatyen a li menm nan.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Tankou yon moun fou k ap jete bwa dife, flèch ak lanmò,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 se konsa nonm ki tronpe vwazen li an pou di: “Èske se pa blag mwen t ap fè?”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Akoz mank bwa, dife a etenn; lè ti koze sispann, rayisman vin kalme.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Tankou chabon tou limen anvè sann cho, ak bwa anvè dife, se konsa yon moun tchenpwèt chofe pwoblèm pou limen konfli.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Pawòl a moun k ap chichote nan zòrèy moun nan, vin tankou bèl ti mòso delika. Yo desann rive jis nan pati pi fon kò a.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Tankou veso ki fèt ak tè ki kouvri ak yon kouch ajan, se konsa lèv ki brile ak yon kè ki mechan.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Yon nonm malonèt, kache sa pou l pa parèt sou lèv li; men nan kè l, li fè depo desepsyon.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Lè l pale byen dous, pa kwè l; paske, gen sèt abominasyon nan kè l.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Malgre rayisman kouvri kò l ak riz, mechanste li va devwale devan asanble a.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Sila ki fouye fòs la va tonbe ladann, e sila ki woule wòch la, sou li menm l ap retounen.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Yon lang ki bay manti, rayi sila li kraze yo, e zèv a lang flatè a se dega.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
