Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
2 Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
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 destruction to him, 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
10 Kombo ya Yawe ezali lokola ndako molayi batonga makasi; moyengebene akimelaka kuna mpe azwaka ebombamelo ya makasi.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 Bomengo ya mozwi ezali engumba na ye, oyo batonga makasi; akanisaka ete ezali lokola mir ya molayi.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
12 Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth 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.
He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
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 offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
20 Moto atondisaka libumu na ye na nzela ya mbuma ya monoko na ye mpe akotonda na lifuti ya bibebu na ye.
A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he satisfied.
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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
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] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
