Masese 16
1 Motema ya moto esalaka mabongisi, kasi eyano ewutaka epai na Yawe.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 Nzela nyonso ya moto emonanaka peto na miso na ye, kasi Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 Pesa misala na yo epai na Yawe, mpe mabongisi na yo ekokokisama.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 Yawe asalaka makambo nyonso na tina, ezala bato mabe, asala bango mpo na mokolo ya pasi.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
5 Moto nyonso ya lolendo azalaka nkele na miso ya Yawe; solo, akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 Bolingo mpe bosembo elongolaka mbeba; kotosa Yawe etindaka moto kokima mabe.
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 Soki Yawe asepeli na nzela ya moto, akoyokanisa ye na banguna na ye.
When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Kozwa biloko moke kati na bosembo ezali malamu koleka kozwa bomengo ebele kati na nzela ya mabe.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 Motema ya moto esalaka mabongisi, kasi ezali Yawe nde asalaka ete ekokisama to te.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 Maloba ya mokonzi ezali lokola Liloba na Nzambe, ekweyaka te kati na kosambisama.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 Emekelo kilo ya sembo mpe basani oyo bamekelaka kilo ezali ya Yawe, mpe kilo nyonso ya saki ezali likambo na Ye.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 Ezali malamu te mpo na mokonzi kosala mabe, pamba te bokonzi elendisamaka nde na nzela ya bosembo.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 Bakonzi balingaka maloba ya solo, mpe bapesaka moto oyo alobaka na bosembo lokumu.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 Kanda ya mokonzi ememaka na kufa, kasi moto ya bwanya ayebaka kokitisa yango.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
15 Soki elongi ya mokonzi ezali kongenga, elingi koloba: bomoi. Bolamu na ye ezali lokola lipata ya mvula ya eleko ya suka.
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 Bwanya ezali malamu koleka wolo, mpe kozwa mayele ezali na litomba koleka palata.
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
17 Bato ya sembo batambolaka na nzela oyo epesaka mabe mokongo. Moto oyo abatelaka motema na ye abatelaka nde bomoi na ye.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Lolendo eyaka liboso ya kobebisama, mpe komimatisa eyaka liboso ya kokweyisama.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 Kozala moto ya komikitisa mpe kozala elongo na bato bakelela ezali malamu koleka kokabola bomengo ya bitumba elongo na bato ya lolendo.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
20 Moto oyo akanisaka na tina na makambo amonaka bolamu. Esengo na moto oyo atiaka elikya na Yawe.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 Babengaka moto oyo azali na motema ya bwanya moto ya mayele, mpe bibebu ya kimia ebakisaka boyebi.
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 Mayele ezali etima ya bomoi mpo na bato oyo bazali na yango, kasi bozoba ezali etumbu mpo na bazoba.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 Motema ya moto ya bwanya ekomisaka monoko na ye mayele, mpe bibebu na ye ebakisaka boyebi.
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Maloba ya elengi ezalaka lokola mafuta ya nzoyi, epesaka kimia na motema mpe lobiko na mikuwa.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
25 Nzela mosusu emonanaka sembo na miso ya bato, nzokande, na suka, ememaka na kufa.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 Nzala etindaka mosali ete asala mosala, monoko na ye etindikaka ye na mosala.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 Moto ya Beliali abongisaka kosala mabe, mpe maloba na ye ezali lokola moto oyo etumbaka.
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 Moto mabe alonaka koswana, moto ya songisongi akabolaka baninga.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 Moto ya mobulu abendaka moninga na ye mpe atambolisaka ye na nzela ya mabe.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 Moto oyo akangi miso mpe bibebu na ye mpo na kosala mabongisi ya mabe asili kosala masumu.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 Suki ya pembe ezali motole ya nkembo; bazwaka yango na nzela ya bosembo.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
32 Moto oyo akangaka motema azali makasi koleka elombe, mpe moto oyo ayebi komikanga azali makasi koleka moto oyo abotolaka bingumba.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 Bakobetaka zeke kati na elamba ya Nganga-Nzambe, kasi mikano nyonso ewutaka na Yawe.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
