Masese 22
1 Kokende sango ya malamu ezali malamu koleka kozala na bomengo mingi; lokumu ezali malamu koleka palata mpe wolo.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect 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 rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 Moto ya mayele amonaka likama na mosika mpe amibombaka, kasi moto oyo azangi mayele akoleka wana mpe akokutana na pasi.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 Komikitisa mpe kotosa Yawe ememaka bozwi, lokumu mpe bomoi.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, 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 traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 Lakisa mwana nzela oyo asengeli kotambola wuta na bomwana na ye; ezala tango akokoma mokolo, akobunga yango te.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 Mozwi azalaka mokonzi ya mobola, mpe modefi azalaka mowumbu ya modefisi.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 Moto oyo alonaka masumu abukaka pasi, mpe makasi ya kanda na ye nyonso ekosuka.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 Moto oyo akabaka na esengo akopambolama, pamba te akabolaka bilei na ye na mobola.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Bengana motioli, bongo kowelana, koswana mpe kofingana ekosila.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 Moto oyo alingaka kozala peto na motema, oyo ngolu ezalaka na bibebu na ye, mokonzi azalaka molingami na ye.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 Miso na Yawe ebatelaka boyebi, kasi akweyisaka maloba ya moto oyo azangi mayele.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ezali kuna na libanda, ekoboma ngai na kati-kati ya balabala. »
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 Monoko ya mwasi ya ndumba ezalaka lokola libulu ya mozindo; moto oyo Yawe asilikeli akweyaka kuna.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Motema ya mwana moke ezalaka na bozoba, bongo fimbu ya pamela elongolaka yango kati na ye.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola mpo ete akoma na bomengo mingi mpe oyo apesaka mozwi bakado bakokweya na bobola.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Pesa matoyi mpe yoka toli ya bato ya bwanya, mpe tika ete motema na yo endima mateya na ngai.
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 Pamba te ekozala esengo soki obombi yango na motema na yo, mpe soki yango nyonso ezali pene ya bibebu na yo.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 Nateyi yo yango lelo mpo ete elikya na yo ezala kati na Yawe.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Boni, lobi eleki, nakomelaki yo te batoli koleka tuku misato, batoli ya bwanya mpe ya boyebi,
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 batoli oyo epesaka mateya ya solo mpe maloba ya solo mpo ete okoka kozongisa biyano ya solo na moto oyo atindi yo?
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Kobotola te na makasi biloko ya mobola, pamba te azali mobola, konyokola te moto ya pasi na esambiselo,
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 pamba te Yawe akobundela bango mpe akobebisa bomoi ya bato oyo bakobebisa bomoi na bango.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Kozala molingami te ya moto ya kanda, mpe kosangana te na moto ya motema moto-moto,
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 noki te okoyekola nzela na ye mpe okokangama na motambo na ye.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Kozala te na molongo ya bato oyo batombolaka maboko mpo na kondima kofuta baniongo ya bato mosusu,
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
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 can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Kozongisa na sima te mondelo ya kala oyo batata na yo bakataki.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers 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.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
