Pwovèb 31
1 Pawòl a wa Lemuel yo; pwofesi ke manman li te ansegne li a:
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 “O fis mwen an! O fis a vant mwen an! O fis a ve mwen yo!
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Pa bay fòs ou a fanm, ni wout ou a sila ki konn detwi wa yo.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 Se pa pou wa yo, O Lemuel, se pa pou wa yo bwè diven, ni pou chèf yo ta bwè diven,
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Paske y ap bwè epi vin bliye dekrè ki te fèt la, e tòde dwa a sila ki aflije yo.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Bay bwason fò a sila k ap peri a, ak diven a sila ki gen lavi anmè a.
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Kite li bwè pou bliye mizè li e pa sonje pwoblèm li ankò.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Ouvri bouch ou pou bèbè a; pou dwa yo a tout sila ki san sekou.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Ouvri bouch ou, fè jijman ak dwati, e defann dwa a aflije yo ak endijan an.”
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Yon madanm ki ekselan, se kilès ki ka twouve li? Paske valè li depase bijou.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Kè a mari li mete konfyans nan li e li p ap manke reyisi.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Li fè l sa ki bon e pa sa ki mal pandan tout jou lavi li.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Li chache lèn ak len e travay avèk men l ak kè kontan.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Li tankou bato komès; li mennen manje li soti byen lwen.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Anplis, li leve pandan li toujou fènwa pou bay manje a tout lakay li, ak yon pòsyon pou sèvant li yo.
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 Li konsidere yon chan e achte li. Ak benefis travay li, li plante yon chan rezen.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Li mare senti l ak gwo fòs pou fè bra li vin fò.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Li santi ke siksè li bon; lanp li pa janm etenn lannwit.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Li lonje men l vè aparèy tise a e men l kenbe l.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Li lonje men l vè pòv yo avèk sila ki gen bezwen an.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Lakay li pa fè krent pou lanèj, paske tout lakay abiye an wouj.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Li fè kouvèti pou tèt li; tout vètman li se twal fen blan ak mov.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Mari li byen rekonèt nan pòtay lavil yo, lè l chita pami ansyen a peyi yo.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Li fè vètman an len pou vann yo, e founi sentiwon a tout komèsan yo.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Fòs ak respè se abiman li e li souri a lavni.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Li ouvri bouch li avèk sajès e enstriksyon ladousè sou lang li.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Li gade byen tout afè lakay li e li pa manje pen laparès.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Pitit li yo leve e beni li; mari li tou ba li gwo lwanj pou di l:
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 “Anpil fi te fè byen bon; men ou pi bon anpil pase yo tout.”
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Chàm konn twonpe e bèlte konn vanite; men se fanm nan ki krent SENYÈ a k ap resevwa lwanj.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Ba li sa ke men l te pwodwi, epi kite zèv li yo fè lwanj li nan pòtay yo.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
