Ohabolana 18
1 Mañean-drao ty mirery, tsambolitio’e ze atao vere-to.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Tsy no’ i dagolay ty faharendrehañe, fa ty mampiboake ty heve’e avao.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Ie pok’eo ty tsivokatse, mipotìtse eo ka ty teratera, vaho indrezan-kasalarañe ty inje.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Rano laleke ty fisaontsim-palie’ ondaty, torahañe mibobobobo ty figoangoañan-kihitse.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Tsy mahasoa te osiheñe ty raty, hikihoañe ty vañoñe an-jaka.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Mikaidraha o soñi’ i dagolao, naho mikai-tampify ty vava’e.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Fiantoa’ i seretsey ty vava’e, vaho mpamandrike ty fiai’e o soñi’eo.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Kenoke mafiry ty fivolam-pitolom-boetse, migodoñe mb’añ’ova’ ondaty ao.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Rahalahi’ ty mpijoy, ty mpilesa am-pitoloña’e.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Fitalakesañ’abo fatratse ty tahina’ Iehovà, milay mb’ama’e ao ty vantañe vaho onjoneñe tsy takatse.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Rova fatratse ty varam-pañaleale, naho hoe kijoly abo añ’ereñere’e ao.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Aolo’ ty ikorovoha’ ondaty ty fiebotseboran-tro’e, fe miaolo’ ty hasiñe ty firehañe.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Ie manoiñe aolo’ t’ie mitsanoñe: le hagegea’e naho hasalara’e.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Mahafeake hasilofañe ty tro’ ondaty, fa ia ka ty mahaleo ty fikoretan’ arofo.
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Mitoha hilala ty tro’ i mahatsikarake, vaho mañotsohotso hihitse an-dravembia’e ty mahilala.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Anokafan-dalañe ty ravoravo’ ondaty, manese aze hiatreke ty bey.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Heveren-ko to ty mitalily valoha’e, ampara’ te pok’eo ty mañody aze.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Abala’ ty tora-tsato-piso ty fifandierañe, ie mampivike ty mpifanjomotse.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Mora ty mandreketse rova fatratse, ta ty rañetse torifike, vaho hoe tsotso-bim-pitilik’abo ty fifanjomorañe.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Ty havokaram-palie’ ondaty ro mahaenem-pisafoa, o vokam-pivimbi’eo ro maha-anjañe.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Manandily ami’ ty haveloñe naho ami’ty havilasy ty fameleke, hikama amo vokare’eo ze mikoko aze.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Mahaonin-kasoa ty tendreke valy, vaho isohe’ Iehovà.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Mihalaly tretrè ty rarake, fe sotrafe’ ty mpitsikafo.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Mianto t’indaty lako rañetse, fe ao ty ate-hena mipiteke soa te ami’ty rahalahy.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
