Masese 18
1 Moyimi alukaka kaka kosepelisa baposa na ye, atelemelaka bososoli nyonso.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
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 only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Soki moto mabe ayei, kotiola mpe eyaka; soki soni eyei, kofinga mpe eyaka.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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 brook.
5 Ezali malamu te kolongisa moto mabe mpe kokweyisa moyengebene, kati na kosambisama.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Bibebu ya moto oyo azangi mayele eyeisaka koswana, mpe monoko na ye eyeisaka fimbu.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 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 gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Moto oyo azongaka sima na mosala na ye azali ndeko ya mobebisi.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Kombo ya Yawe ezali lokola ndako molayi batonga makasi; moyengebene akimelaka kuna mpe azwaka ebombamelo ya makasi.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are 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, like an unscalable 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 proud, but before honour is humility.
13 Kopesa eyano liboso ya koyoka ezali liboma mpe bozoba.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Kimia kati na motema elendisaka moto na tango ya bokono, kasi nani akokoka kolendisa motema oyo etutami?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Motema ya moto ya mayele ezwaka mayele, mpe litoyi ya moto ya bwanya elukaka boyebi.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. 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 who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Zeke esilisaka koswana mpe ekataka makambo kati na bato ya makasi.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
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 stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is 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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
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 favour of the LORD.
23 Mobola alobaka na mongongo ya kobondela, kasi mozwi azongisaka eyano na lolendo.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
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 companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
