Ohabolana 18
1 Izay mitokana ho azy dia mitady ny mahafinaritra ny tenany ihany, Misafoaka manohitra izay hevitra mahasoa rehetra izy.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Ny adala tsy mba finaritra amin’ ny fahalalana, Fa ta-haneho izay ao am-pony.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 Raha avy ny ratsy fanahy, dia avy ny fanamavoana; Ary miaraka amin’ ny fahafaham-baraka ny henatra.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Rano lalina ny teny aloaky ny vavan’ ny olona, Ary rano miboiboika ny loharanon’ ny fahendrena,
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 Tsy mety raha manohana ny ratsy fanahy Handresy ny marina amin’ ny fitsarana.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 Ny molotry ny adala manatona ny fifandirana, Ary ny vavany mihantsy kapoka.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 Ny vavan’ ny adala no fandringanana azy, Ary ny molony ihany no fandriky ny fanahiny.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 Ny tenin’ ny mpifosafosa dia toy ny hanim-py Ka mikorotsaka ao anaty kibo indrindra.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Ary izay malaina amin’ ny asany Dia rahalahin’ ny mpanimba.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 Ny anaran’ i Jehovah dia tilikambo mafy; Ny marina miezaka ho ao aminy ka voavonjy.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 Ny haren’ ny manan-karena no vohiny mafy, Ary raha araka ny fiheviny, dia toa manda avo izany.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Ny fireharehan’ ny fon’ ny olona mialoha ny fahasimbana; Fa ny fanetren-tena kosa mialoha ny voninahitra.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Izay mamaly teny mbola tsy re, Dia hadalana sy henatra ho azy izany.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 Ny faharariany dia zakan’ ny fanahin’ ny olona ihany; Fa ny fanahy kivy, iza no mahazaka izany?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Ny fon’ ny manan-tsaina mahazo fahalalana; Ary ny sofin’ ny hendry mitady izany.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 Ny fanomezan’ ny olona dia mahalalaka ny alehany, Hahatonga azy eo anatrehan’ ny lehibe.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Izay mandahatra aloha no toa marina; Fa nony avy kosa ny an-daniny, dia mamaly ny teniny.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Ny filokana mampitsahatra ady Ary mampisaraka ny samy mahery.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 Ny mampionona ny rahalahy voaisy ratsy dia sarotra noho ny manafaka vohitra mafy, Ary ny fifandirana aminy dia tahaka ny hidin’ ny lapan’ ny mpanjaka.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 Ny vokatry ny vavan’ ny olona no mahavoky soa azy; Eny, ny vokatry ny molony no mahavoky azy.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Ny mahafaty sy ny mahavelona samy hain’ ny lela, Koa izay manarana azy dia hihinana ny vokany.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Izay lehilahy mahazo vady dia mahazo zava-tsoa Sady mahita sitraka amin’ i Jehovah.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Fitarainana no ataon’ ny malahelo; Nefa ny manan-karena kosa dia mamaly mahery.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 Izay maro sakaiza tsy maintsy tra-pahoriana; Fa misy sakaiza tia, izay mifikitra noho ny rahalahy aza.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
