Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 Pawòl yo ki sòti nan bouch a yon nonm se yon dlo byen fon; dlo sajès se yon dlo fre k ap koule tout tan.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Pawòl a sila ki chichote pawòl nan zòrèy moun nan se tankou bonbon ki gen gou dous; se jis nan fon kò a yo desann.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 Non SENYÈ a se yon sitadèl byen fò; moun ladwati a kouri ladann pou jwenn sekou.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Lespri a yon nonm kapab sipòte maladi; men nan ka lespri brize a, se kilès ki kab sipòte li?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 Yon frè ki blese se pi rèd pou konvenk pase yon vil fòtifye; konfli ak li se tankou ba fè nan yon sitadèl.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 Se fwi a bouch moun ki satisfè vant li; l ap satisfè ak sa ke lèv li pwodwi.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Lanmò ak lavi nan pouvwa a lang lan; e sila ki renmen l yo, va manje fwi li.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
