Masese 12
1 Moto oyo alingaka koyekola alingaka boyebi, kasi moto oyo aboyaka pamela azali zoba.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 Moto ya malamu azwaka ngolu na miso ya Yawe, kasi Nzambe akatelaka moto ya mayele mabe etumbu.
He that has found favour with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 Motema mabe elendisaka moto te; mosisa ya bato ya sembo ekatanaka te.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
4 Mwasi ya malamu azali motole ya mobali na ye, kasi mwasi oyo ayokisaka soni azali lokola bokono oyo ezali kolia mikuwa.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 Mabongisi ya bayengebene ezalaka ya sembo, kasi makanisi ya bato mabe ezalaka kaka lokuta.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgements; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 Maloba ya bato mabe ezali mitambo mpo na kosopa makila, kasi maloba ya bayengebene ebikisaka bango.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Bato mabe bakokweyisama mpe bakozala lisusu te, kasi ndako ya bayengebene ekowumela seko.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 Bwanya epesaka moto lokumu, kasi motema mabe ememaka kotiolama.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Eleki malamu kozala moto pamba mpe kozala na mosali, na esika ya komimona moto monene mpe kozanga bilei.
Better is a man in dishonour serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 Moto ya sembo ayebaka ata baposa ya bibwele na ye, kasi motema ya moto mabe eyokaka mawa te.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Moto oyo asalaka bilanga atondaka na bilei, kasi moto oyo alandaka bagoyigoyi azangi mayele.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonour in his own strong holds.
12 Moto mabe alingaka misuni ya bato mabe, kasi mosisa ya bayengebene ebotaka mingi.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 Moto ya misala mabe akangamaka na motambo ya maloba na ye ya lokuta, kasi moyengebene akobika kati na pasi.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 Na nzela ya mbuma ya monoko na ye, moto akotondisama na bolamu; mpe moto akozwa lifuti ya misala ya maboko na ye.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 Nzela ya moto oyo azangi mayele emonanaka alima na miso na ye, kasi moto oyo ayokaka toli azali moto ya bwanya.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 Kotomboka ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyebanaka kaka mokolo wana, kasi moto ya mayele abombaka soni na ye.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 Motatoli ya malamu apesaka matatoli ya solo, kasi motatoli ya mabe apesaka matatoli ya lokuta.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 Maloba ya bato oyo balobaka mingi ezokisaka lokola mopanga, kasi lolemo ya bato ya bwanya ezali lokola mafuta oyo ebikisaka.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 Moto oyo alobaka solo akowumela mpo na libela, kasi mokosi akowumela kaka mpo na tango moke.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Lokuta ezalaka kati na mitema ya bato oyo basalaka mabongisi ya mabe, kasi esengo ezali mpo na bato oyo bakopesaka batoli ya kimia.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 Mabe moko te ekokomela bayengebene, kasi bato mabe bakotondisama na pasi.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 Bibebu oyo ekosaka ezali nkele na miso ya Yawe, kasi bibebu oyo ekokisaka bosembo ezalaka elengi na miso na Ye.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 Moto ya mayele abombaka boyebi, kasi motema ya zoba etatolaka makambo ya bozoba.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 Maboko oyo esalaka ezwaka bokonzi, kasi maboko ya goyigoyi ememaka na bowumbu.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Motema oyo etondi na komitungisa ekobuka moto, kasi liloba ya esengo esepelisaka moto.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 Moyengebene alakisaka baninga na ye nzela, kasi nzela ya moto mabe ebungisaka ye moko moto mabe.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 Moto ya goyigoyi azangaka bilei, mpe moto ya nzunzu akomaka mozwi monene.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 Bomoi ezalaka kati na nzela ya bosembo, mpe kufa ezalaka te kati na nzela ya bosembo.
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
