< Masese 17 >
1 Kolia na kimia ndambo ya lipa ya kokawuka ezali malamu koleka kovanda na ndako etonda na misuni elongo na koswana.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Mosali ya bwanya akozala na bokonzi likolo ya mwana mobali oyo asalaka soni, mpe akozwa libula elongo na bandeko.
A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Bapetolaka palata na kikalungu, mpe bapetolaka wolo na fulu ya moto makasi, kasi ezali Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 Moto oyo asalaka mabe ayokaka maloba ya bato mabe, mokosi apesaka litoyi na ye na maloba ya lokuta.
An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola anyokolaka Mokeli ya mobola yango; moto oyo asepelaka na pasi ya moninga akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Bakitani bazali motole ya bakoko, mpe baboti bazali lokumu ya bana.
Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
7 Ndenge maloba ya lokumu ebongi te mpo na moto mabe, ndenge mpe maloba ya lokuta ebongi te mpo na mokonzi.
Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
8 Kanyaka ezalaka lokola kisi na miso ya moto oyo azali na yango; alongaka na esika nyonso oyo akendaka.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 Moto oyo abombaka mabe alukaka bolingo, kasi moto oyo azongelaka yango tango nyonso akabolaka bato oyo balingani.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
10 Pamela ezalaka na litomba mpo na moto ya mayele, kasi kobeta zoba bafimbu nkama moko ezalaka na litomba te.
A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Moto mabe alukaka kaka kotomboka, kasi bakotindela ye ntoma ya motema mabe mpo na kotelemela ye.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Kokutana na ngombolo oyo babotoli bana ezali malamu koleka kokutana na zoba oyo azali kati na bolema.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Pasi etikaka ata moke te ndako ya moto oyo azongisaka mabe mpo na malamu.
He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Kobanda koswana ezali lokola kofungola nzela ya mayi; tika na yo liboso ete kobendana ekoma makasi.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 Moto oyo alongisaka bato mabe mpe moto oyo akweyisaka bato ya sembo bazali, bango mibale, nkele na miso ya Yawe.
He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Mpo na nini mbongo ezala na maboko ya zoba? Mpo ete asomba bwanya wana azali na posa na yango te!
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Molingami alingaka tango nyonso, mpe akomaka ndeko na tango ya pasi.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Moto oyo azangi mayele abetaka tolo mpo na kondima baniongo ya mopaya.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Moto oyo alingaka koswana alingaka masumu; moto oyo atongaka ekuke na ye na likolo amilukelaka kokweya.
He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
20 Moto ya motema mabe abongaka te, mpe moto ya lolemo ya lokuta akomona pasi.
He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21 Kozala na mwana ya zoba esalaka pasi na motema, mpe tata ya moto ya liboma akotikala kozala na esengo te.
He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 Motema ya esengo ebikisaka nzoto, kasi motema oyo etutami ebukaka mikuwa.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 Moto mabe azwaka kanyaka na nkuku mpo na kobebisa nzela ya bosembo.
A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Bwanya emonanaka na elongi ya moto ya mayele, kasi miso ya zoba ekendaka kino na suka ya mokili.
Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana oyo azangi mayele apesaka tata na ye mawa, mpe ayokisaka mama na ye pasi na motema.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Ezali malamu te kopesa moto ya sembo etumbu, mpe ezali malamu te kobeta bato ya lokumu na miso ya bosembo.
Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
27 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko na ye azali na boyebi; moto oyo alengaka-lengaka te azali mayele.
He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Ezala moto ya liboma, soki avandi kimia, amonanaka lokola moto ya bwanya; moto oyo akangaka monoko na ye amonanaka lokola moto ya mayele.
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.