Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
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 like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Monoko ya moto oyo azangi mayele ememelaka ye kufa, mpe bibebu na ye ezalaka motambo mpo na molimo na ye moko.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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 upright man running into it is safe.
11 Bomengo ya mozwi ezali engumba na ye, oyo batonga makasi; akanisaka ete ezali lokola mir ya molayi.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come 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 man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
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.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Moto atondisaka libumu na ye na nzela ya mbuma ya monoko na ye mpe akotonda na lifuti ya bibebu na ye.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Kufa mpe bomoi ezali na se ya nguya ya lolemo; moto oyo alingaka lolemo akolia mbuma na yango.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Moto oyo azalaka na balingami ebele amitiaka na pasi, kasi ezali na molingami moko ya motema, oyo aleki ata ndeko.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
