Masese 28
1 Moto mabe akimaka ata soki moto moko te abengani ye, kasi bato ya sembo bazalaka na mpiko lokola nkosi.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
2 Soki kotomboka ezali kati na mokili, bakonzi bakomaka ebele; kasi moto ya mayele mpe ya bososoli ayeisaka kimia.
Because of the transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.
3 Mokonzi oyo anyokolaka bato bakelela azali lokola mvula ya makasi oyo ebebisaka biloko mpe ememaka nzala.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Bato oyo babukaka mibeko bakumisaka bato mabe, kasi bato oyo babatelaka mibeko batelemelaka bato mabe.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Bato mabe basosolaka te makambo ya bosembo, kasi bato oyo balukaka Yawe basosolaka yango nyonso.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Mobola oyo atambolaka na bosembo azali malamu koleka mozwi oyo nzela na ye ezali mabe.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 Moto oyo abatelaka mibeko azali mwana mayele, kasi moto oyo atambolaka na bato ya loyenge ayokisaka tata na ye soni.
He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Moto oyo abakisaka bomengo na ye na nzela ya moyibi abombelaka yango moto oyo asalisaka babola.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 Moto oyo akangi matoyi na ye mpo na koboya koyoka mobeko, libondeli na ye ekomaka nkele na miso ya Nzambe.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
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.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 Mozwi amimonaka lokola moto ya bwanya, kasi mobola oyo azali mayele ayebaka ye malamu.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find 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 arise, people are sought out.
13 Moto oyo abombaka masumu na ye abongaka te, kasi ye oyo atubelaka mpe atikaka yango azwaka ngolu.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 Esengo na moto oyo abangaka tango nyonso kosala mabe, kasi ye oyo ayeisaka motema na ye libanga akweyaka kati na pasi.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Mokonzi mabe oyo azali kokamba bato bakelela azali lokola nkosi ya kanda to lokola ngombolo oyo ezali kolanda nyama ya kolia.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over 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 ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will 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.
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 Moto oyo atambolaka na bosembo akozwa lobiko, kasi moto ya mobulu oyo alandaka banzela mibale akokweya na moko.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Moto oyo asalaka bilanga atondaka na bilei, kasi moto oyo alandaka bagoyigoyi akotonda na bobola.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Moto ya sembo afulukaka na mapamboli, kasi moto oyo awelaka kokoma mozwi na lombangu akozanga te kozwa etumbu.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 Kopona bilongi ezalaka malamu te; nzokande ata mpo na eteni ya lipa, moto akoki mpe kosala mabe.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 Moto ya bilulela azalaka motema moto-moto mpo na kozwa bomengo, mpe ayebaka te ete bobola ekokomela ye.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Moto oyo apamelaka moninga na ye akozwa ngolu na suka koleka moto oyo alobaka maloba ya sukali.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 Moto oyo ayibaka tata mpe mama na ye, bongo alobaka: « Ezali na yango mabe te, » azali moninga ya mobomi.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 Moto ya lokoso ayeisaka koswana, kasi moto oyo atiaka elikya na Yawe akotonda na mafuta.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Moto oyo atiaka elikya kati na ye moko kaka azali zoba, kasi moto oyo atambolaka na bwanya akokangolama.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Moto oyo akabelaka babola akozanga eloko te, kasi moto oyo aboyaka kotala bango akotonda na bilakeli mabe.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 Tango bato mabe bazwaka bokonzi, bato bamibombaka; kasi tango bakufaka, bato ya sembo bakomaka ebele.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
