Masese 9
1 Bwanya atongi ndako na ye, atelemisi yango na makonzi sambo;
Wisdom has built a house for herself, and set up seven pillars.
2 abomi banyama na ye, akamoli masanga na ye ya vino mpe, na sima, atandi mesa.
She has killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine in a bowl, and prepared her table.
3 Atindi basali na ye ya basi mpo ete babelela wuta na basonge ya bangomba ya engumba:
She has sent forth her servants, calling with a loud proclamation to the feast, saying,
4 « Tika ete moto nyonso oyo azangi mayele aya awa! » Atindi maloba epai ya bato oyo bazangi bososoli:
Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that lack understanding she says,
5 « Boya kolia bilei na ngai mpe komela vino oyo nakamoli,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink wine which I have mingled for you.
6 botika nzela na bino ya bozoba mpe bokozala na bomoi, botambola na nzela ya mayele. »
Leave folly, that you may reign for ever; and seek wisdom, and improve understanding by knowledge.
7 Moto nyonso oyo apamelaka motioli amilukelaka kosambwa, moto nyonso oyo apamelaka moto mabe amilukelaka ngambo.
He that reproves evil [men] shall get dishonor to himself; and he that rebukes an ungodly [man] shall disgrace himself.
8 Kopamela motioli te, noki te akoyina yo; kasi pamela moto ya bwanya, mpe akolinga yo.
Rebuke not evil [men], lest they should hate you: rebuke a wise [man], and he will love you.
9 Teya moto ya bwanya, mpe akokoma lisusu na bwanya koleka; teya moto ya sembo, mpe akobakisa lisusu boyebi na ye.
Give an opportunity to a wise [man], and he will be wiser: instruct a just man, and he will receive more [instruction].
10 Kotosa Yawe ezali mosisa ya bwanya; koyeba Mosantu, yango nde kozala mayele.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is [the character] of a sound mind.
11 Pamba te, na nzela na ngai, mikolo ya bomoi na yo ekokoma ebele, mpe mibu ya bomoi na yo ekobakisama.
For in this way you shall live long, and years of your life shall be added to you.
12 Soki ozali moto ya bwanya, bwanya na yo ezali mpo na litomba na yo moko; kasi soki ozali motioli, yo moko kaka nde okomona pasi.
Son, if you be wise for yourself, you shall also be wise for your neighbors; and if you should prove wicked, you alone will bear the evil. He that stays himself upon falsehoods, attempts to rule the winds, and the same will pursue birds in their fight: for he has forsaken the ways of his own vineyard, and he has caused the axles of his own husbandry to go astray; and he goes through a dry desert, and a [land] appointed to drought, and he gathers barrenness with his hands.
13 Mwasi ya zoba azali mwasi ya makelele, ayokaka te mpe azanga mayele,
A foolish and bold woman, who knows not modesty, comes to lack a morsel.
14 avandaka na ekuke ya ndako na ye, atiaka kiti na ye na bisika ya likolo ya engumba,
She sits at the doors of her house, on a seat openly in the streets,
15 mpo na kobenga baleki nzela, bato oyo bazali kokende na nzela na bango.
calling to passers by, and to those that are going right on their ways;
16 Tika ete moto oyo azangi mayele aya awa! Atindi maloba epai ya bato oyo bazanga bososoli:
[saying], Whoso is most senseless of you, let him turn aside to me; and I exhort those that lack prudence, saying,
17 « Mayi oyo bayibi ezalaka elengi, mpe lipa oyo baliaka na kobombama ezalaka kitoko. »
Take and enjoy secret bread, and the sweet water of theft.
