Masese 13
1 Mwana mayele ayokaka mateya ya tata na ye, kasi mwana oyo atiolaka ayokaka pamela te.
A wise son [becometh so] by the correction of his father; but a scorner hearkeneth not to rebuke.
2 Mbuma ya monoko eleisaka moto bilei ya malamu, kasi molimo ya moto oyo atambolaka na bosembo te ememaka na mobulu.
From the fruit of a man's mouth doth he eat what is good; but the longing of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko na ye abatelaka molimo na ye, kasi moto oyo afungolaka monoko na ye makasi akosuka na libebi.
He that watcheth his mouth guardeth his soul; but he that openeth wide his lips [prepareth] himself destruction.
4 Moto ya goyigoyi ayokaka baposa, kasi akoki kokokisa yango te; nzokande baposa ya moto ya nzunzu ekokisamaka.
The sluggard longeth [in] his soul, and there [cometh] nothing; but the soul of the diligent will be abundantly gratified.
5 Moto ya sembo ayinaka maloba ya lokuta, kasi moto mabe amiyinisaka mpe apanzaka soni.
The righteous hateth the word of falsehood; but the wicked bringeth shame and dishonor.
6 Bosembo ebatelaka moto oyo atambolaka alima na nzela na ye, kasi mabe ebebisaka bongo ya moto ya masumu.
Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright on his way; but wickedness perverteth the [man of] sin.
7 Ezali na moto moko oyo asalaka makambo lokola mozwi, nzokande azali na ye ata na eloko moko te; mpe ezali na moto mosusu oyo asalaka makambo lokola mobola, nzokande azali na bozwi mingi.
There is some one that pretendeth to be rich without having any thing; another that pretendeth to be poor while having abundant wealth.
8 Bomengo ya mozwi ebatelaka bomoi na ye, kasi bato mabe batungisaka mobola te.
As the ransom of a man's life [hath he often to give] his riches; but the poor heareth no threat.
9 Pole ya bato ya sembo engengaka makasi, kasi mwinda ya bato mabe ekufaka.
The light of the righteous burneth joyfully; but the lamp of the wicked will be quenched.
10 Lolendo ememaka kaka na koswana, kasi bato oyo bayokaka toli bazwaka bwanya.
Only through presumptuous conduct doth man produce contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Bomengo oyo ezwami na lombangu mpe na nzela ya mabe esilaka noki, kasi bomengo oyo babakisaka na moke-moke ekomaka ebele.
Wealth [gotten] by vain deeds will be diminished; but he that gathereth by close labor will increase it.
12 Elikya oyo ekokisami te epesaka bokono na motema, kasi posa oyo ekokisami ezali nzete ya bomoi.
Expectation long deferred maketh the heart sick; but a tree of life is a desire which is fulfilled.
13 Moto oyo atiolaka liloba amiyokisaka pasi, kasi moto oyo atosaka malako akozwa lifuti.
Whoso despiseth the word shall fall in debt to it; but he that feareth the commandment will be rewarded.
14 Mateya ya moto ya bwanya ezali etima ya bomoi, ekangolaka na mitambo ya kufa.
The instruction of the wise is a source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.
15 Boyebi ememelaka bato ngolu, kasi nzela ya bato oyo babukaka mibeko ezalaka pasi.
Good intelligence giveth grace; but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Moto ya mayele asalaka makambo kolanda boyebi, kasi zoba, atandaka bozoba na ye.
Every prudent man acteth with knowledge; but a fool spreadeth abroad his folly.
17 Motindami ya mabe akweyaka kati na pasi, kasi motindami ya sembo amemaka lobiko.
A wicked messenger falleth into unhappiness; but a faithful ambassador [bringeth] healing.
18 Bobola mpe soni ekomelaka bato oyo baboyaka koyekola, kasi moto oyo andimaka pamela akozwa lokumu.
Poverty and disgrace will overtake him that rejecteth correction; but he that observeth admonition will be honored.
19 Posa oyo ekokisami esalaka esengo na motema, kasi kokabwana na mabe ezali likambo ya nkele na miso ya zoba.
A desire accomplished is pleasant to the soul; but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 Moto oyo asanganaka na bato ya bwanya akomaka moto ya bwanya, kasi moto oyo atambolaka nzela moko na bazoba akomona pasi.
He that walketh with wise men will become wise; but he that associateth with fools will be destroyed.
21 Mabe elandaka bato ya masumu, kasi bolamu ezali lifuti ya bato ya sembo.
Evil pursueth the sinners; but the righteous will [God] repay with happiness.
22 Moto oyo asalaka bolamu atikelaka bakitani na ye libula, kasi bomengo ya moto ya masumu ebombamaka mpo na moyengebene.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; but the wealth of the sinner is treasured up for the righteous.
23 Bilanga ya mobola ekoki kobotela ye bilei ebele, kasi ezali na bato oyo bazali kobeba mpo na kozanga bosembo.
Much food bringeth the new-tilled ground of the poor; but there are many others that are taken away through injustice.
24 Moto oyo aboyaka kobeta mwana na ye fimbu alingaka ye te, kasi moto oyo alingaka mwana na ye abetaka ye.
He that withholdeth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes.
25 Moyengebene aliaka mpe atondaka, kasi libumu ya moto mabe ezalaka na nzala.
The righteous eateth to satisfy his desire [to eat]; but the belly of the wicked always suffereth want.
