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 is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to 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 bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
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 is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Kozongisela zoba te kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te okokokana na ye.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal 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 choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Ndenge makolo ya ebosono ezalaka makasi te, ndenge wana mpe masese ezalaka na nguya te kati na monoko ya zoba.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kopesa zoba lokumu ezali lokola kotia libanga na ebambelo mabanga.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor 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 that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable 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 injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Ndenge kaka mbwa ezongelaka kolia biloko oyo yango moko esanzi, ndenge wana mpe zoba azongelaka bozoba na ye.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in 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.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ekangi nzela! Nyama moko ya mabe ezali na kati-kati ya balabala! »
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Moto ya goyigoyi abalukaka na mbeto na ye ndenge ekuke ebalukaka na biloko oyo efungolaka yango.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Moto ya goyigoyi akotisaka loboko na ye kati na bilei, kasi akokaka te kozongisa yango na monoko.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Moto ya goyigoyi amimonaka ete azali na bwanya koleka bato sambo ya mayele.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Moto oyo akotaka makambo oyo etali ye te azali lokola moto oyo akangi mbwa na matoyi.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Ndenge moto ya liboma abwakaka moto, makonga mpe kufa,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 ndenge wana mpe moto oyo akosi moninga na ye alobaka: « Ezalaki kaka mpo na kosala maseki! »
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Soki bakoni ezali te, moto ekokufa; soki bato ya songisongi bazali te, koswana ekokita.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Ndenge makala engalaka na mbabola, mpe bakoni epelisaka moto, ndenge wana mpe moto oyo alinga koswana ayeisaka matata.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Maloba ya sukali ya moto ya motema mabe ezalaka lokola palata ya mbindo oyo bapakoli na mbeki basala na mabele.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Moto oyo ayinaka moninga na ye amibombaka na maloba na ye, kasi atondi na lokuta kati na motema na ye.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Ata soki abimisi maloba ya esengo, kondimela ye te, pamba te makambo sambo ya mbindo ebombama kati na motema na ye.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, 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.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
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 will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 Lolemo ya lokuta eyinaka bato oyo ezokisi, mpe maloba ya sukali ememaka libebi.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
