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 piece of dry bread, and quiet therewith, than a house full of the sacrifices of contention.
2 Mosali ya bwanya akozala na bokonzi likolo ya mwana mobali oyo asalaka soni, mpe akozwa libula elongo na bandeko.
An intelligent servant will have rule over a son that bringeth shame, and among the brothers will he have part of the inheritance.
3 Bapetolaka palata na kikalungu, mpe bapetolaka wolo na fulu ya moto makasi, kasi ezali Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
4 Moto oyo asalaka mabe ayokaka maloba ya bato mabe, mokosi apesaka litoyi na ye na maloba ya lokuta.
An evil-doer listeneth to unjust lips: falsehood giveth ear to a tongue that bringeth destruction.
5 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola anyokolaka Mokeli ya mobola yango; moto oyo asepelaka na pasi ya moninga akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
Whoso mocketh the poor blasphemeth his Maker: he that is glad at calamities will not remain unpunished.
6 Bakitani bazali motole ya bakoko, mpe baboti bazali lokumu ya bana.
The crown of old men are children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers.
7 Ndenge maloba ya lokumu ebongi te mpo na moto mabe, ndenge mpe maloba ya lokuta ebongi te mpo na mokonzi.
High-toned language is not seemly to a worthless fool: and yet much less the language of falsehood to a noble.
8 Kanyaka ezalaka lokola kisi na miso ya moto oyo azali na yango; alongaka na esika nyonso oyo akendaka.
As a precious stone appeareth a bribe in the eyes of him that obtaineth it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Moto oyo abombaka mabe alukaka bolingo, kasi moto oyo azongelaka yango tango nyonso akabolaka bato oyo balingani.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth confident friends.
10 Pamela ezalaka na litomba mpo na moto ya mayele, kasi kobeta zoba bafimbu nkama moko ezalaka na litomba te.
A reproof penetrateth more deeply into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Moto mabe alukaka kaka kotomboka, kasi bakotindela ye ntoma ya motema mabe mpo na kotelemela ye.
Only rebellion doth a bad man seek: therefore a cruel messenger will be sent out against him.
12 Kokutana na ngombolo oyo babotoli bana ezali malamu koleka kokutana na zoba oyo azali kati na bolema.
A man may meet a she-bear robbed of her whelps, but not a fool in his folly.
13 Pasi etikaka ata moke te ndako ya moto oyo azongisaka mabe mpo na malamu.
Whoso bestoweth evil in return 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.
As one letteth loose [a stream] of water, so is the beginning of strife: therefore before it be enkindled, leave off the contest.
15 Moto oyo alongisaka bato mabe mpe moto oyo akweyisaka bato ya sembo bazali, bango mibale, nkele na miso ya Yawe.
He that declareth the wicked innocent, and he that condemneth the righteous, yea, both of them are equally an abomination to the Lord.
16 Mpo na nini mbongo ezala na maboko ya zoba? Mpo ete asomba bwanya wana azali na posa na yango te!
Wherefore is the purchase-money in the hand of a fool to acquire wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?
17 Molingami alingaka tango nyonso, mpe akomaka ndeko na tango ya pasi.
A friend loveth at all times, and as a brother is he born for [the time of] distress.
18 Moto oyo azangi mayele abetaka tolo mpo na kondima baniongo ya mopaya.
A man void of sense pledgeth his hand, and becometh surety for his friend.
19 Moto oyo alingaka koswana alingaka masumu; moto oyo atongaka ekuke na ye na likolo amilukelaka kokweya.
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
20 Moto ya motema mabe abongaka te, mpe moto ya lolemo ya lokuta akomona pasi.
He that hath a froward heart will not find happiness; and he that hath a perverse tongue will fall into evil.
21 Kozala na mwana ya zoba esalaka pasi na motema, mpe tata ya moto ya liboma akotikala kozala na esengo te.
He that begetteth a fool [doth it] to his sorrow; and the father of a worthless fool cannot have any joy.
22 Motema ya esengo ebikisaka nzoto, kasi motema oyo etutami ebukaka mikuwa.
A merry heart causeth a healthy appearance of the countenance, but a depressed spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Moto mabe azwaka kanyaka na nkuku mpo na kobebisa nzela ya bosembo.
A wicked man taketh a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of justice.
24 Bwanya emonanaka na elongi ya moto ya mayele, kasi miso ya zoba ekendaka kino na suka ya mokili.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are at 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 vexation to his father, and bitterness to her that hath born him.
26 Ezali malamu te kopesa moto ya sembo etumbu, mpe ezali malamu te kobeta bato ya lokumu na miso ya bosembo.
To punish the just with a fine even is not good, nor to strike the noble [-hearted] for [their] equity.
27 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko na ye azali na boyebi; moto oyo alengaka-lengaka te azali mayele.
He that holdeth back his speeches hath knowledge; and he that is sparing of his 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 keepeth silence, is counted wise: he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
