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 desirable than great riches, and loving favor 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: Yahweh 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.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Komikitisa mpe kotosa Yawe ememaka bozwi, lokumu mpe bomoi.
The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh 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 snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Lakisa mwana nzela oyo asengeli kotambola wuta na bomwana na ye; ezala tango akokoma mokolo, akobunga yango te.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Mozwi azalaka mokonzi ya mobola, mpe modefi azalaka mowumbu ya modefisi.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Moto oyo alonaka masumu abukaka pasi, mpe makasi ya kanda na ye nyonso ekosuka.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Moto oyo akabaka na esengo akopambolama, pamba te akabolaka bilei na ye na mobola.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Bengana motioli, bongo kowelana, koswana mpe kofingana ekosila.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 Moto oyo alingaka kozala peto na motema, oyo ngolu ezalaka na bibebu na ye, mokonzi azalaka molingami na ye.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 Miso na Yawe ebatelaka boyebi, kasi akweyisaka maloba ya moto oyo azangi mayele.
Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ezali kuna na libanda, ekoboma ngai na kati-kati ya balabala. »
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 Monoko ya mwasi ya ndumba ezalaka lokola libulu ya mozindo; moto oyo Yawe asilikeli akweyaka kuna.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Motema ya mwana moke ezalaka na bozoba, bongo fimbu ya pamela elongolaka yango kati na ye.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Moto oyo anyokolaka mobola mpo ete akoma na bomengo mingi mpe oyo apesaka mozwi bakado bakokweya na bobola.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Pesa matoyi mpe yoka toli ya bato ya bwanya, mpe tika ete motema na yo endima mateya na ngai.
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
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 pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 Nateyi yo yango lelo mpo ete elikya na yo ezala kati na Yawe.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20 Boni, lobi eleki, nakomelaki yo te batoli koleka tuku misato, batoli ya bwanya mpe ya boyebi,
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel 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 teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Kobotola te na makasi biloko ya mobola, pamba te azali mobola, konyokola te moto ya pasi na esambiselo,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 pamba te Yawe akobundela bango mpe akobebisa bomoi ya bato oyo bakobebisa bomoi na bango.
for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Kozala molingami te ya moto ya kanda, mpe kosangana te na moto ya motema moto-moto,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25 noki te okoyekola nzela na ye mpe okokangama na motambo na ye.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Kozala te na molongo ya bato oyo batombolaka maboko mpo na kondima kofuta baniongo ya bato mosusu,
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral 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 don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Kozongisa na sima te mondelo ya kala oyo batata na yo bakataki.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Osila komona moto oyo ayebi mosala na ye malamu? Akosala kaka liboso ya bakonzi, akosala te liboso ya bato ya molili.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
