Masese 26
1 Ndenge mvula ya pembe elimwaka na tango ya molunge, mpe mvula enokaka te na tango ya elanga, ndenge wana mpe lokumu oyo bapesi na zoba ekowumela na ye te.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 Ndenge ndeke ya moke oyo babengaka mwano ekendaka bipai na bipai to mbilambila epumbwaka-pumbwaka, ndenge wana mpe elakeli mabe ezwaka te moto oyo asali na ye mabe te.
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3 Ndenge fimbu ezalaka malamu mpo na mpunda, mpe ekangiseli ezalaka malamu mpo na monoko ya ane, ndenge wana mpe fimbu ezalaka malamu mpo na mokongo ya zoba.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Kozongisela zoba te kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te okokokana na ye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Zongisela zoba kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te akomimona moto ya bwanya na miso na ye moko.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Moto oyo atindaka sango na nzela ya zoba azali lokola moto oyo amikati makolo mpe amilukeli makambo.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 Ndenge makolo ya ebosono ezalaka makasi te, ndenge wana mpe masese ezalaka na nguya te kati na monoko ya zoba.
The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Kopesa zoba lokumu ezali lokola kotia libanga na ebambelo mabanga.
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Lisese kati na monoko ya zoba ezali lokola etape ya banzube kati na loboko ya moto oyo alangwe masanga.
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Moto oyo azwaka zoba to moleki nzela na mosala azali lokola soda oyo azokisaka moto nyonso na likonga.
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 Ndenge kaka mbwa ezongelaka kolia biloko oyo yango moko esanzi, ndenge wana mpe zoba azongelaka bozoba na ye.
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Eleki malamu kotia elikya na zoba, na esika ete otia elikya na moto oyo amimonaka moto ya bwanya na miso na ye moko.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ekangi nzela! Nyama moko ya mabe ezali na kati-kati ya balabala! »
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 Moto ya goyigoyi abalukaka na mbeto na ye ndenge ekuke ebalukaka na biloko oyo efungolaka yango.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Moto ya goyigoyi akotisaka loboko na ye kati na bilei, kasi akokaka te kozongisa yango na monoko.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Moto ya goyigoyi amimonaka ete azali na bwanya koleka bato sambo ya mayele.
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 Moto oyo akotaka makambo oyo etali ye te azali lokola moto oyo akangi mbwa na matoyi.
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Ndenge moto ya liboma abwakaka moto, makonga mpe kufa,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 ndenge wana mpe moto oyo akosi moninga na ye alobaka: « Ezalaki kaka mpo na kosala maseki! »
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 Soki bakoni ezali te, moto ekokufa; soki bato ya songisongi bazali te, koswana ekokita.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 Ndenge makala engalaka na mbabola, mpe bakoni epelisaka moto, ndenge wana mpe moto oyo alinga koswana ayeisaka matata.
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Maloba ya sukali ya moto ya motema mabe ezalaka lokola palata ya mbindo oyo bapakoli na mbeki basala na mabele.
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Moto oyo ayinaka moninga na ye amibombaka na maloba na ye, kasi atondi na lokuta kati na motema na ye.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 Ata soki abimisi maloba ya esengo, kondimela ye te, pamba te makambo sambo ya mbindo ebombama kati na motema na ye.
when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Akoki solo kobomba makanisi na ye ya mabe na maloba ya lokuta, kasi motema mabe na ye ekosuka se na koyebana na miso ya bato nyonso.
Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 Moto oyo atimolaka libulu akweyaka ye moko kati na yango; mpe moto oyo atindikaka libanga, libanga yango ekozongela kaka ye moko.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Lolemo ya lokuta eyinaka bato oyo ezokisi, mpe maloba ya sukali ememaka libebi.
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
