Masese 21
1 Kati na loboko na Yawe, motema ya mokonzi ezalaka lokola moluka oyo atindaka esika nyonso oyo alingi.
The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Nzela nyonso ya moto emonanaka alima na miso na ye, kasi ezali Yawe nde amekaka mitema.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3 Na miso na Yawe, kosala makambo ya sembo mpe ya alima ezali motuya koleka bambeka ya kotumba.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Miso ya lofundu, motema ya lolendo mpe kongenga ya bato mabe ezali masumu.
A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Mabongisi ya moto oyo asalaka mosala ememaka ye na bomengo, kasi kozala motema moto-moto ememaka na kozanga.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Kozwa bomengo na nzela ya lokuta ezali kaka molinga oyo epanzanaka mpe motambo oyo ememaka na kufa.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 Makambo ya bato mabe ebebisaka bango moko, pamba te baboyaka kosala makambo ya sembo.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Nzela ya moto mabe ezalaka na mabaku, kasi mosala ya moto ya peto ezalaka sembo.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Kovanda na songe ya ndako ezali malamu koleka kovanda elongo na mwasi oyo aswanaka-swanaka.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
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 desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy 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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives 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 One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Soki moto akangi matoyi na ye mpo na koboya koyoka koganga ya mobola, ye mpe bakoyanola ye te tango akoganga.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 Likabo oyo bapesi na nkuku ekitisaka kanda, mpe kado oyo batie na tolo ekitisaka kanda makasi.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
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 do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 Moto oyo abungi nzela ya bwanya akovanda kati na lisanga ya bakufi.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 Moto oyo alingaka biyenga akokoma mobola; moto oyo alingaka masanga ya vino mpe mafuta akotikala kokoma mozwi te.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be 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 is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for 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 contentious and fretful woman.
20 Bilei ya kitoko mpe mafuta ezalaka kati na ndako ya moto ya bwanya, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele abebisaka yango.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Moto oyo alukaka bosembo mpe bolingo akozwa bomoi, bomengo mpe lokumu.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds 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 scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Moto oyo abatelaka monoko mpe lolemo na ye abatelaka molimo na ye na pasi.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Kombo ya moto ya lofundu mpe ya lolendo ezali: « Motioli. » Asalaka makambo na lolendo oyo eleka ndelo.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Baposa ya moto ya goyigoyi ekoboma ye, pamba te maboko na ye eboyaka kosala.
The desire of the sluggard kills 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.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
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 brings it with a wicked mind!
28 Motatoli ya lokuta akokufa, kasi moto oyo ayokaka akoloba tango nyonso.
A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 Moto mabe akangaka elongi na ye, kasi moto ya sembo alendisaka nzela na ye.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
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 Yahweh.
31 Mpunda ebongisama mpo na mokolo ya bitumba, kasi elonga ewutaka na Yawe.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
