Pwovèb 18
1 Moun k'ap viv apa se tèt li ase li konnen. Li move sou tout moun ki vle ba li bon konsèy.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 Moun sòt pa pran plezi l' nan chache konprann. Tou sa l'ap chache se fè moun konprann li gen lespri.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Y'ap meprize moun k'ap fè mechanste. Moun ki pa fè respè tèt yo gen pou yo wont.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with dishonour reproach.
4 Pawòl moun ki gen konprann fon kou lanmè, fre tankou yon sous k'ap koule tout tan.
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 Sa pa bon pou ou pran pou moun mechan, ni pou ou enpoze yo rann moun inonsan jistis.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Depi moun sòt ap pale, se kont l'ap chache. Si ou koute pawòl nan bouch li, w'a ba l' kou.
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 Bouch moun sòt se kondannasyon li. Pawòl ki soti nan bouch li tounen pèlen pou li.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Tripotay dous nan zòrèy moun ki vle tande yo. Sa mache nan san yo.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Moun ki parese nan travay li se menmman parèyman ak moun k'ap defèt sa k'ap fèt.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great destroyer.
10 Seyè a, se yon gwo ranpa byen solid. Se la moun k'ap mache dwat yo kouri al chache pwoteksyon.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs into it, and is safe.
11 Pou moun rich yo, byen yo tankou yon ranpa byen solid. Yo mete nan tèt yo se sa k'ap pwoteje yo.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Lè w'ap fè awogans, yo pa lwen kraze ou. Lè ou fè kò ou piti, y'a fè lwanj ou.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
13 Moun ki prese reponn san koute sa y'ap di l', se moun sòt li ye. Li gen pou l' wont.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.
14 Lè yon moun anvi viv, sa ede l' anpil lè li malad. Men, si li dekouraje, ki moun ki ka remoute kouraj li?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Yon moun lespri ap toujou chache gen plis konesans. Zòrèy moun ki gen bon konprann toujou pare pou l' ka konnen plis toujou.
The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Kado ou fè louvri chemen pou ou toupatou, ata chemen ki mennen lakay grannèg.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Moun ki pale anvan nan tribinal toujou sanble li gen rezon. Lè lòt moun lan parèt, kat je kontre, manti kaba.
He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbour comes and searches him.
18 Lè de grannèg gen kont, jij yo fè tiraj osò pou konnen kilès pou yo bay rezon.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
19 Li pi fasil pou mete lapè nan yon gwo lavil pase pou ou rekonsilye de frè ki nan kont. Lè yo fache, kè yonn se pòt prizon pou lòt.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Rekonpans yon moun chita sou sa ki soti nan bouch li.
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Sa ou di ka lavi pou ou, li ka lanmò pou ou. Sa ou chwazi, se sa w'ap jwenn.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Lè yon nonm jwenn yon bon madanm, se yon bon bagay. Se yon gwo favè Seyè a fè l'.
Whoso finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 Lè yon pòv ap pale, li toujou nan tanpri souple. Men, moun rich toujou ap rele sou moun.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 Gen zanmi se pran yo vin pran. Men, gen zanmi tou yo plis pase frè.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
