Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Maloba ya monoko ya moto ezalaka lokola mayi ya mozindo; etima ya bwanya ezalaka lokola mayi ya ebale oyo etondi makasi.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Monoko ya moto oyo azangi mayele ememelaka ye kufa, mpe bibebu na ye ezalaka motambo mpo na molimo na ye moko.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 Kombo ya Yawe ezali lokola ndako molayi batonga makasi; moyengebene akimelaka kuna mpe azwaka ebombamelo ya makasi.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 Bomengo ya mozwi ezali engumba na ye, oyo batonga makasi; akanisaka ete ezali lokola mir ya molayi.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Moto ya liboso na kosamba amonanaka lokola nde alongi; kasi soki moto oyo azali kosamba na ye ayei, akotelemela ye.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 Kokota lisusu na motema ya ndeko oyo osali mabe ezalaka pasi koleka kokota na engumba batonga makasi; mpe koswana na moto ezali lokola kokanga bikuke ya ndako batonga makasi na bibende ya minene.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Moto atondisaka libumu na ye na nzela ya mbuma ya monoko na ye mpe akotonda na lifuti ya bibebu na ye.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Kufa mpe bomoi ezali na se ya nguya ya lolemo; moto oyo alingaka lolemo akolia mbuma na yango.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Moto oyo azalaka na balingami ebele amitiaka na pasi, kasi ezali na molingami moko ya motema, oyo aleki ata ndeko.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
