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 better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
2 Mozwi mpe mobola bazali na likambo moko ya lisanga: ezali Yawe nde azali Mokeli na bango mibale.
The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
3 Moto ya mayele amonaka likama na mosika mpe amibombaka, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele akoleka wana mpe akokutana na pasi.
The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
4 Komikitisa mpe kotosa Yawe ememaka bozwi, lokumu mpe bomoi.
The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5 Nzela ya bato mabe ezalaka na banzube mpe mitambo, kasi moto oyo abatelaka molimo na ye azalaka mosika na yango.
Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
6 Lakisa mwana nzela oyo asengeli kotambola wuta na bomwana na ye; ezala tango akokoma mokolo, akobunga yango te.
The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 Mozwi azalaka mokonzi ya mobola, mpe modefi azalaka mowumbu ya modefisi.
The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Moto oyo alonaka masumu abukaka pasi, mpe makasi ya kanda na ye nyonso ekosuka.
Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
9 Moto oyo akabaka na esengo akopambolama, pamba te akabolaka bilei na ye na mobola.
Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
10 Bengana motioli, bongo kowelana, koswana mpe kofingana ekosila.
Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations and insults will cease.
11 Moto oyo alingaka kozala peto na motema, oyo ngolu ezalaka na bibebu na ye, mokonzi azalaka molingami na ye.
Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Miso na Yawe ebatelaka boyebi, kasi akweyisaka maloba ya moto oyo azangi mayele.
The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ezali kuna na libanda, ekoboma ngai na kati-kati ya balabala. »
The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.”
14 Monoko ya mwasi ya ndumba ezalaka lokola libulu ya mozindo; moto oyo Yawe asilikeli akweyaka kuna.
The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.
15 Motema ya mwana moke ezalaka na bozoba, bongo fimbu ya pamela elongolaka yango kati na ye.
Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
16 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola mpo ete akoma na bomengo mingi mpe oyo apesaka mozwi bakado bakokweya na bobola.
Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
17 Pesa matoyi mpe yoka toli ya bato ya bwanya, mpe tika ete motema na yo endima mateya na ngai.
Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
18 Pamba te ekozala esengo soki obombi yango na motema na yo, mpe soki yango nyonso ezali pene ya bibebu na yo.
It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,
19 Nateyi yo yango lelo mpo ete elikya na yo ezala kati na Yawe.
so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
20 Boni, lobi eleki, nakomelaki yo te batoli koleka tuku misato, batoli ya bwanya mpe ya boyebi,
Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations 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?
so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.
22 Kobotola te na makasi biloko ya mobola, pamba te azali mobola, konyokola te moto ya pasi na esambiselo,
Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.
23 pamba te Yawe akobundela bango mpe akobebisa bomoi ya bato oyo bakobebisa bomoi na bango.
For the Lord will judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
24 Kozala molingami te ya moto ya kanda, mpe kosangana te na moto ya motema moto-moto,
Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
25 noki te okoyekola nzela na ye mpe okokangama na motambo na ye.
lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
26 Kozala te na molongo ya bato oyo batombolaka maboko mpo na kondima kofuta baniongo ya bato mosusu,
Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against 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?
For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
28 Kozongisa na sima te mondelo ya kala oyo batata na yo bakataki.
Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
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 swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
