Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
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 in laying open what is in his heart.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Maloba ya monoko ya moto ezalaka lokola mayi ya mozindo; etima ya bwanya ezalaka lokola mayi ya ebale oyo etondi makasi.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for 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 the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
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, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
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 town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Liboso ete moto akweya, motema na ye ekomaka na lolendo; kasi komikitisa eyaka liboso ya nkembo.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and 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 readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
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 cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth 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 town; and quarrels [among brothers] 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 a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 will eat its fruit.
22 Mobali oyo azwi mwasi ya malamu azwi bomengo, azwi ngolu kowuta epai na Yawe.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; 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's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
