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 morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife.
2 Mosali ya bwanya akozala na bokonzi likolo ya mwana mobali oyo asalaka soni, mpe akozwa libula elongo na bandeko.
A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren.
3 Bapetolaka palata na kikalungu, mpe bapetolaka wolo na fulu ya moto makasi, kasi ezali Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord.
4 Moto oyo asalaka mabe ayokaka maloba ya bato mabe, mokosi apesaka litoyi na ye na maloba ya lokuta.
A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips.
5 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola anyokolaka Mokeli ya mobola yango; moto oyo asepelaka na pasi ya moninga akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy.
6 Bakitani bazali motole ya bakoko, mpe baboti bazali lokumu ya bana.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing.
7 Ndenge maloba ya lokumu ebongi te mpo na moto mabe, ndenge mpe maloba ya lokuta ebongi te mpo na mokonzi.
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.
8 Kanyaka ezalaka lokola kisi na miso ya moto oyo azali na yango; alongaka na esika nyonso oyo akendaka.
Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward; and wherever it may turn, it shall prosper.
9 Moto oyo abombaka mabe alukaka bolingo, kasi moto oyo azongelaka yango tango nyonso akabolaka bato oyo balingani.
He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred.
10 Pamela ezalaka na litomba mpo na moto ya mayele, kasi kobeta zoba bafimbu nkama moko ezalaka na litomba te.
A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not.
11 Moto mabe alukaka kaka kotomboka, kasi bakotindela ye ntoma ya motema mabe mpo na kotelemela ye.
Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger.
12 Kokutana na ngombolo oyo babotoli bana ezali malamu koleka kokutana na zoba oyo azali kati na bolema.
Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils.
13 Pasi etikaka ata moke te ndako ya moto oyo azongisaka mabe mpo na malamu.
Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house.
14 Kobanda koswana ezali lokola kofungola nzela ya mayi; tika na yo liboso ete kobendana ekoma makasi.
Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty.
15 Moto oyo alongisaka bato mabe mpe moto oyo akweyisaka bato ya sembo bazali, bango mibale, nkele na miso ya Yawe.
He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God.
16 Mpo na nini mbongo ezala na maboko ya zoba? Mpo ete asomba bwanya wana azali na posa na yango te!
Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischief.
17 Molingami alingaka tango nyonso, mpe akomaka ndeko na tango ya pasi.
Have you a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born.
18 Moto oyo azangi mayele abetaka tolo mpo na kondima baniongo ya mopaya.
A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends.
19 Moto oyo alingaka koswana alingaka masumu; moto oyo atongaka ekuke na ye na likolo amilukelaka kokweya.
A lover of sin rejoices in strifes;
20 Moto ya motema mabe abongaka te, mpe moto ya lolemo ya lokuta akomona pasi.
and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs;
21 Kozala na mwana ya zoba esalaka pasi na motema, mpe tata ya moto ya liboma akotikala kozala na esengo te.
and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother.
22 Motema ya esengo ebikisaka nzoto, kasi motema oyo etutami ebukaka mikuwa.
A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up.
23 Moto mabe azwaka kanyaka na nkuku mpo na kobebisa nzela ya bosembo.
The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness.
24 Bwanya emonanaka na elongi ya moto ya mayele, kasi miso ya zoba ekendaka kino na suka ya mokili.
The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to 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 cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him.
26 Ezali malamu te kopesa moto ya sembo etumbu, mpe ezali malamu te kobeta bato ya lokumu na miso ya bosembo.
[It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes.
27 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko na ye azali na boyebi; moto oyo alengaka-lengaka te azali mayele.
He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise.
28 Ezala moto ya liboma, soki avandi kimia, amonanaka lokola moto ya bwanya; moto oyo akangaka monoko na ye amonanaka lokola moto ya mayele.
Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.
