Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When the wicked comes, then comes 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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing 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 overthrow 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 calls for strokes.
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 destruction, and his lips are the snare of 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 wounds, 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 that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
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 runs 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 an high wall in his own conceit.
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 honor is humility.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame 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 will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
A man’s gift makes room 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.
He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts 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 their contentions 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.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 Moto oyo azalaka na balingami ebele amitiaka na pasi, kasi ezali na molingami moko ya motema, oyo aleki ata ndeko.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
