Masese 21
1 Kati na loboko na Yawe, motema ya mokonzi ezalaka lokola moluka oyo atindaka esika nyonso oyo alingi.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Nzela nyonso ya moto emonanaka alima na miso na ye, kasi ezali Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 Na miso na Yawe, kosala makambo ya sembo mpe ya alima ezali motuya koleka bambeka ya kotumba.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Miso ya lofundu, motema ya lolendo mpe kongenga ya bato mabe ezali masumu.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 Mabongisi ya moto oyo asalaka mosala ememaka ye na bomengo, kasi kozala motema moto-moto ememaka na kozanga.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 Kozwa bomengo na nzela ya lokuta ezali kaka molinga oyo epanzanaka mpe motambo oyo ememaka na kufa.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 Makambo ya bato mabe ebebisaka bango moko, pamba te baboyaka kosala makambo ya sembo.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 Nzela ya moto mabe ezalaka na mabaku, kasi mosala ya moto ya peto ezalaka sembo.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 Kovanda na songe ya ndako ezali malamu koleka kovanda elongo na mwasi oyo aswanaka-swanaka.
It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 Molimo ya moto mabe elingaka kaka makambo mabe; ata moninga na ye penza azwaka ngolu te na miso na ye.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 Tango bapesaka motioli etumbu, zoba akomaka moto ya bwanya; mpe tango bapesaka malako epai ya moto ya bwanya, azwaka solo boyebi.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Nzambe ya sembo atalaka na bokebi makambo oyo esalemaka kati na bandako ya bato mabe, mpe akweyisaka bango kati na pasi.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 Soki moto akangi matoyi na ye mpo na koboya koyoka koganga ya mobola, ye mpe bakoyanola ye te tango akoganga.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 Likabo oyo bapesi na nkuku ekitisaka kanda, mpe kado oyo batie na tolo ekitisaka kanda makasi.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 Ezali esengo mpo na moyengebene kosambisa makambo na sembo, kasi yango ezali pasi makasi mpo na bato oyo basalaka mabe.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 Moto oyo abungi nzela ya bwanya akovanda kati na lisanga ya bakufi.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Moto oyo alingaka biyenga akokoma mobola; moto oyo alingaka masanga ya vino mpe mafuta akotikala kokoma mozwi te.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 Moto mabe azalaka lokola motuya oyo bafutaka mpo na kosikola moto ya sembo; moto ya sembo te azalaka lokola motuya oyo bafutaka mpo na kosikola moto ya alima.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 Kovanda kati na esobe ezali malamu koleka kovanda esika moko na mwasi oyo aswanaka-swanaka mpe asilikaka-silikaka.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 Bilei ya kitoko mpe mafuta ezalaka kati na ndako ya moto ya bwanya, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele abebisaka yango.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 Moto oyo alukaka bosembo mpe bolingo akozwa bomoi, bomengo mpe lokumu.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Moto ya bwanya abundisaka engumba ya bato ya makasi, mpe akweyisaka bandako ya makasi oyo bato batielaka mitema.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko mpe lolemo na ye abatelaka molimo na ye na pasi.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 Kombo ya moto ya lofundu mpe ya lolendo ezali: « Motioli. » Asalaka makambo na lolendo oyo eleka ndelo.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 Baposa ya moto ya goyigoyi ekoboma ye, pamba te maboko na ye eboyaka kosala.
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Mokolo mobimba, akufaka na ye kaka na baposa makasi; kasi moto ya sembo apesaka na kobomba te.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 Mbeka ya moto mabe ezalaka nkele; ezalaka nkele koleka soki amemi yango na makanisi mabe.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 Motatoli ya lokuta akokufa, kasi moto oyo ayokaka akoloba tango nyonso.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 Moto mabe akangaka elongi na ye, kasi moto ya sembo alendisaka nzela na ye.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 Liboso na Yawe, bwanya moko te, mayele moko te mpe toli moko te ekoki kolonga.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 Mpunda ebongisama mpo na mokolo ya bitumba, kasi elonga ewutaka na Yawe.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
