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 honor is not becoming 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 sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause 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 the fool.
4 Kozongisela zoba te kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te okokokana na ye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 conceit.
6 Moto oyo atindaka sango na nzela ya zoba azali lokola moto oyo amikati makolo mpe amilukeli makambo.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message 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.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Kopesa zoba lokumu ezali lokola kotia libanga na ebambelo mabanga.
As he who bindeth a stone 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 lifted up by 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.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Ndenge kaka mbwa ezongelaka kolia biloko oyo yango moko esanzi, ndenge wana mpe zoba azongelaka bozoba na ye.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, 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.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? 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 slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in 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 sluggard upon his bed.
15 Moto ya goyigoyi akotisaka loboko na ye kati na bilei, kasi akokaka te kozongisa yango na monoko.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Moto ya goyigoyi amimonaka ete azali na bwanya koleka bato sambo ya mayele.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
17 Moto oyo akotaka makambo oyo etali ye te azali lokola moto oyo akangi mbwa na matoyi.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Ndenge moto ya liboma abwakaka moto, makonga mpe kufa,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 ndenge wana mpe moto oyo akosi moninga na ye alobaka: « Ezalaki kaka mpo na kosala maseki! »
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
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 talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 Ndenge makala engalaka na mbabola, mpe bakoni epelisaka moto, ndenge wana mpe moto oyo alinga koswana ayeisaka matata.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Maloba ya sukali ya moto ya motema mabe ezalaka lokola palata ya mbindo oyo bapakoli na mbeki basala na mabele.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 Moto oyo ayinaka moninga na ye amibombaka na maloba na ye, kasi atondi na lokuta kati na motema na ye.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And 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 he speaketh fair, 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Moto oyo atimolaka libulu akweyaka ye moko kati na yango; mpe moto oyo atindikaka libanga, libanga yango ekozongela kaka ye moko.
He that 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 whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
