Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Moto oyo azangi mayele asepelaka te kozwa tango ya kokanisa, kasi asepelaka kaka kotalisa makanisi ya motema na ye.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 Maloba ya monoko ya moto ezalaka lokola mayi ya mozindo; etima ya bwanya ezalaka lokola mayi ya ebale oyo etondi makasi.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
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 ruin 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.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 Kombo ya Yawe ezali lokola ndako molayi batonga makasi; moyengebene akimelaka kuna mpe azwaka ebombamelo ya makasi.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Bomengo ya mozwi ezali engumba na ye, oyo batonga makasi; akanisaka ete ezali lokola mir ya molayi.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Kado efungolelaka moto oyo apesi yango nzela mpe ekotisaka ye liboso ya bato minene.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 Moto ya liboso na kosamba amonanaka lokola nde alongi; kasi soki moto oyo azali kosamba na ye ayei, akotelemela ye.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
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 helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded 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 fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
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 they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
24 Moto oyo azalaka na balingami ebele amitiaka na pasi, kasi ezali na molingami moko ya motema, oyo aleki ata ndeko.
