Pwovèb 17
1 Pito ou manje yon grenn bannann chèch ak kè poze pase pou ou fè gwo fèt nan mitan dezagreman.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Yon esklav ki gen konprann va chèf sou yon pitit ki fè papa l' wont. L'a jwenn pa l' nan eritaj papa a tankou tout pitit.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Se dife sèl ki ka fè ou konnen si lò osinon ajan ou genyen an se bon kalite. Konsa tou, se Seyè a sèl ki konnen sa ki nan kè moun.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
4 Mechan yo toujou prèt pou koute moun k'ap di move pawòl. Zòrèy mantò yo toujou louvri pou koute moun k'ap bay manti.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Lè w'ap pase yon pòv malere nan betiz, se Bondye ki fè l' la w'ap derespekte. Moun ki kontan lè malè rive yon lòt, Bondye ap pini l'.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Pitit pitit se rekonpans granmoun. Manman ak papa se kontantman pitit.
Children's children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.
7 Yon moun sòt pa ka di anyen ki bon. Konsa tou, yon moun serye pa nan bay manti.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 Moun ki sèvi ak lajan pou pran tèt moun konprann lajan se wanga. Yo kwè se pou yo reyisi nan tou sa y'ap fè.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Si ou vle moun renmen ou, padonnen lè yo fè ou mal. Si w'ap mache repete bagay moun fè ki mal, w'ap mete zanmi dozado.
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 Lè ou fè yon moun ki gen konprann repwòch, sa touche kè l'. Men, ata san kout baton p'ap chanje yon moun sòt.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Mechan toujou ap fè rebelyon, men y'a voye yon sanmanman regle avè l'.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Pito ou kontre ak yon manman lous k'ap chache pitit li pase pou ou tonbe sou yon moun fou foli moute.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Si ou aji mal avèk moun ki fè ou byen, malè ap toujou rive lakay ou.
Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Lè yon kont pete, se tankou dlo ki kase dig kannal. Anvan batay mete pye, chape kò ou.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15 Se de kalite moun Seyè a pa ka sipòte: moun k'ap kondannen inonsan ak moun k'ap pran pou mechan yo.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Yon moun sòt te mèt gen kont lajan nan men l', li p'ap janm ka gen konesans. Li pa gen konprann.
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, seeing he has no understanding?
17 Yon bon zanmi p'ap janm trayi. Jou malè l'ap tankou yon frè pou ou.
A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Fòk yon moun pèdi tèt li nèt pou l' garanti dèt yon lòt moun.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Moun ki renmen chache kont renmen fè sa ki mal. Moun k'ap pale avèk awogans, se moun k'ap mache ak sèkèy yo anba bra yo.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 Yon moun ki pa gen bon lide nan tèt li p'ap janm gen kè kontan. Moun ki gen move lang ap toujou nan traka.
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 Se lapenn pou yon papa ki fè yon pitit ki san konprann. Papa yon pitit sòt p'ap janm gen kè kontan.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 Kè kontan bay lasante. Men, lè ou kagou, w'ap deperi sou pye.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 Malveyan pran lajan nan men moun pou enpoze jistis fèt.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Yon moun ki gen bon konprann toujou ap chache konesans. Men, moun sòt pa konn sa li vle.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander everywhere.
25 Yon timoun ki san konprann, se chagren pou papa l', se gwo lapenn pou manman l' ki fè l'.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Se pa jistis pou inonsan peye pou koupab. Pa gen jistis lè yo bat moun ki pa fè mal.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Moun ki gen konesans pa nan pale anpil. Moun ki rete dousman se moun ki gen konprann.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Moun ki gen lespri pa janm cho pou pale. Men moun sòt, lè yo rete ak bouch yo fèmen, yo pase pou moun ki gen konprann.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
