Masese 28
1 Moto mabe akimaka ata soki moto moko te abengani ye, kasi bato ya sembo bazalaka na mpiko lokola nkosi.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Soki kotomboka ezali kati na mokili, bakonzi bakomaka ebele; kasi moto ya mayele mpe ya bososoli ayeisaka kimia.
By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.
3 Mokonzi oyo anyokolaka bato bakelela azali lokola mvula ya makasi oyo ebebisaka biloko mpe ememaka nzala.
A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Bato oyo babukaka mibeko bakumisaka bato mabe, kasi bato oyo babatelaka mibeko batelemelaka bato mabe.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Bato mabe basosolaka te makambo ya bosembo, kasi bato oyo balukaka Yawe basosolaka yango nyonso.
Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
6 Mobola oyo atambolaka na bosembo azali malamu koleka mozwi oyo nzela na ye ezali mabe.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.
7 Moto oyo abatelaka mibeko azali mwana mayele, kasi moto oyo atambolaka na bato ya loyenge ayokisaka tata na ye soni.
Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.
8 Moto oyo abakisaka bomengo na ye na nzela ya moyibi abombelaka yango moto oyo asalisaka babola.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
9 Moto oyo akangi matoyi na ye mpo na koboya koyoka mobeko, libondeli na ye ekomaka nkele na miso ya Nzambe.
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Moto oyo amemaka bato ya sembo na nzela ya mabe akokangama na motambo oyo asali ye moko, kasi bato oyo bazangi pamela bakozwa esengo lokola libula na bango.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall into his own pit; but the perfect shall inherit good.
11 Mozwi amimonaka lokola moto ya bwanya, kasi mobola oyo azali mayele ayebaka ye malamu.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 Tango bato ya sembo balongaka, ezalaka esengo mingi; kasi tango bato mabe bazwaka bokonzi, bato bamibombaka.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men conceal themselves.
13 Moto oyo abombaka masumu na ye abongaka te, kasi ye oyo atubelaka mpe atikaka yango azwaka ngolu.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall obtain mercy.
14 Esengo na moto oyo abangaka tango nyonso kosala mabe, kasi ye oyo ayeisaka motema na ye libanga akweyaka kati na pasi.
Happy is the man that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15 Mokonzi mabe oyo azali kokamba bato bakelela azali lokola nkosi ya kanda to lokola ngombolo oyo ezali kolanda nyama ya kolia.
A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 Mokonzi oyo anyokolaka bato azangi mayele, kasi oyo aboyaka bomengo na nzela ya moyibi ayeisaka mikolo ya bomoi na ye ebele.
The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
17 Moto oyo amitungisaka mpo ete abomi moninga akimaka kino na libulu ya kufa; tika ete moto moko te akanga ye nzela.
A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
18 Moto oyo atambolaka na bosembo akozwa lobiko, kasi moto ya mobulu oyo alandaka banzela mibale akokweya na moko.
Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].
19 Moto oyo asalaka bilanga atondaka na bilei, kasi moto oyo alandaka bagoyigoyi akotonda na bobola.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
20 Moto ya sembo afulukaka na mapamboli, kasi moto oyo awelaka kokoma mozwi na lombangu akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 Kopona bilongi ezalaka malamu te; nzokande ata mpo na eteni ya lipa, moto akoki mpe kosala mabe.
To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22 Moto ya bilulela azalaka motema moto-moto mpo na kozwa bomengo, mpe ayebaka te ete bobola ekokomela ye.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 Moto oyo apamelaka moninga na ye akozwa ngolu na suka koleka moto oyo alobaka maloba ya sukali.
He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Moto oyo ayibaka tata mpe mama na ye, bongo alobaka: « Ezali na yango mabe te, » azali moninga ya mobomi.
Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Moto ya lokoso ayeisaka koswana, kasi moto oyo atiaka elikya na Yawe akotonda na mafuta.
He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Moto oyo atiaka elikya kati na ye moko kaka azali zoba, kasi moto oyo atambolaka na bwanya akokangolama.
He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Moto oyo akabelaka babola akozanga eloko te, kasi moto oyo aboyaka kotala bango akotonda na bilakeli mabe.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 Tango bato mabe bazwaka bokonzi, bato bamibombaka; kasi tango bakufaka, bato ya sembo bakomaka ebele.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
