Masese 22
1 Kokende sango ya malamu ezali malamu koleka kozala na bomengo mingi; lokumu ezali malamu koleka palata mpe wolo.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 Mozwi mpe mobola bazali na likambo moko ya lisanga: ezali Yawe nde azali Mokeli na bango mibale.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 Moto ya mayele amonaka likama na mosika mpe amibombaka, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele akoleka wana mpe akokutana na pasi.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 Komikitisa mpe kotosa Yawe ememaka bozwi, lokumu mpe bomoi.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Nzela ya bato mabe ezalaka na banzube mpe mitambo, kasi moto oyo abatelaka molimo na ye azalaka mosika na yango.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Lakisa mwana nzela oyo asengeli kotambola wuta na bomwana na ye; ezala tango akokoma mokolo, akobunga yango te.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 Mozwi azalaka mokonzi ya mobola, mpe modefi azalaka mowumbu ya modefisi.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Moto oyo alonaka masumu abukaka pasi, mpe makasi ya kanda na ye nyonso ekosuka.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 Moto oyo akabaka na esengo akopambolama, pamba te akabolaka bilei na ye na mobola.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Bengana motioli, bongo kowelana, koswana mpe kofingana ekosila.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 Moto oyo alingaka kozala peto na motema, oyo ngolu ezalaka na bibebu na ye, mokonzi azalaka molingami na ye.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 Miso na Yawe ebatelaka boyebi, kasi akweyisaka maloba ya moto oyo azangi mayele.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ezali kuna na libanda, ekoboma ngai na kati-kati ya balabala. »
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 Monoko ya mwasi ya ndumba ezalaka lokola libulu ya mozindo; moto oyo Yawe asilikeli akweyaka kuna.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Motema ya mwana moke ezalaka na bozoba, bongo fimbu ya pamela elongolaka yango kati na ye.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola mpo ete akoma na bomengo mingi mpe oyo apesaka mozwi bakado bakokweya na bobola.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Pesa matoyi mpe yoka toli ya bato ya bwanya, mpe tika ete motema na yo endima mateya na ngai.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 Pamba te ekozala esengo soki obombi yango na motema na yo, mpe soki yango nyonso ezali pene ya bibebu na yo.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 Nateyi yo yango lelo mpo ete elikya na yo ezala kati na Yawe.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Boni, lobi eleki, nakomelaki yo te batoli koleka tuku misato, batoli ya bwanya mpe ya boyebi,
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 batoli oyo epesaka mateya ya solo mpe maloba ya solo mpo ete okoka kozongisa biyano ya solo na moto oyo atindi yo?
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Kobotola te na makasi biloko ya mobola, pamba te azali mobola, konyokola te moto ya pasi na esambiselo,
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 pamba te Yawe akobundela bango mpe akobebisa bomoi ya bato oyo bakobebisa bomoi na bango.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Kozala molingami te ya moto ya kanda, mpe kosangana te na moto ya motema moto-moto,
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 noki te okoyekola nzela na ye mpe okokangama na motambo na ye.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Kozala te na molongo ya bato oyo batombolaka maboko mpo na kondima kofuta baniongo ya bato mosusu,
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 pamba te soki ozali na yo na makoki ya kofuta te, mpo na nini okolinga ete babotola ata mbeto na yo ya kolala?
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Kozongisa na sima te mondelo ya kala oyo batata na yo bakataki.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Osila komona moto oyo ayebi mosala na ye malamu? Akosala kaka liboso ya bakonzi, akosala te liboso ya bato ya molili.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
