Masese 20
1 Vino elobisaka bato maloba ya soni, masanga ya makasi ememaka mobulu; moto nyonso oyo amipesaka na yango akotikala te kokoma moto ya bwanya.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Somo oyo mokonzi apesaka ezali lokola koganga ya nkosi; moto oyo apesaka ye kanda amilukelaka ye moko pasi.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Koboya koswana epesaka moto lokumu, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele amipesaka na yango.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Moto ya goyigoyi asalaka bilanga te likolo ya kobanga malili; boye na tango ya kobuka mbuma, alukaka mpe kobuka, kasi akozwa eloko te.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Makanisi ya motema ya moto ezalaka lokola ebale ya mozindo, moto ya mayele alukaka kotoka kati na yango.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Bato ebele batatolaka bolamu na bango, kasi nani akomona moto ya sembo?
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Moyengebene atambolaka na bosembo na ye; boye sima na ye, bana na ye bakozala bato ya esengo.
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Soki mokonzi avandi na kiti mpo na kosambisa, miso na ye ebenganaka mabe nyonso.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Nani akoki koloba: « Nabatelaka motema na ngai peto, nazali peto, nazali na masumu te? »
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Kilo mibale mpe bimekelo mibale, nyonso ezali nkele na miso ya Yawe.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Bayebaka elenge mobali na nzela ya misala na ye, soki ezaleli na ye ezali peto mpe sembo.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Ezala litoyi oyo eyokaka to liso oyo emonaka, ezali Yawe nde asalaki nyonso mibale.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Kolingaka pongi te, noki te okokoma mobola; sala ete miso na yo ezalaka ya kofungwama, mpe okozanga te bilei ya kobomba.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 Moto oyo asombaka biloko alobaka: « Biloko oyo ezali mabe! Ezali malamu te! » Kasi soki akei, atombolaka mapeka mpo na biloko oyo azwi.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Wolo mpe babiju ezalaka na yango ebele, kasi bibebu oyo ebimisaka boyebi eleki na motuya.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Kamata elamba ya moto oyo alapi ndayi mpo na niongo ya moto mosusu; bomba yango lokola ndanga soki alapi ndayi mpo na mwasi mopaya.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Bilei oyo ezwami na nzela ya lokuta ezalaka elengi na monoko ya moto, kasi, na sima, monoko na ye etondaka na zelo.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Soki ozali kosala mabongisi, tunaka toli; mpe soki olingi kobunda bitumba, zala na ekenge mpe na mayele.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Moto ya bilobaloba abimisaka basekele; yango wana kima bato oyo balobaka mingi.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Moto oyo alakelaka tata to mama na ye mabe, mwinda na ye ekokufa kati na molili.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Bomengo oyo moto azwi noki-noki na ebandeli ekopambolama te na suka.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Kolobaka te: « Nakozongisa mabe na mabe oyo basali ngai! » Kasi talela Yawe, mpe akobikisa yo.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Kilo oyo ekesana na kilo mosusu ezalaka nkele na miso ya Yawe, mpe emekelo kilo ya lokuta ezalaka eloko ya malamu te.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Ezali Yawe nde atambolisaka matambe ya moto; bongo ndenge nini moto akoki kososola ye moko nzela na ye?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Ezali motambo mpo na moto koloba na lombangu: « Eloko oyo ebulisami mpo na Yawe, » mpe kokanisa sima na ye kolapa ndayi.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Mokonzi ya bwanya abenganaka bato mabe mpe azangaka te kopesa bango etumbu.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Molimo ya moto ezali mwinda oyo Yawe apesi ye; esosolaka bozindo nyonso ya motema ya moto.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Bolamu mpe solo ebatelaka mokonzi; alendisaka bokonzi na ye na nzela ya bolamu.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Makasi ezali biju ya bilenge, mpe suki ya pembe ezali lokumu ya mibange.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Bapota elongolaka mabe, mpe bafimbu esukolaka bozindo ya molimo ya moto.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
