Pwovèb 18
1 Sila ki izole pwòp tèt li, chache pwòp enterè l; bon jijman an pa anyèn devan l.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Yon moun ensanse pa pran plezi nan bon konprann; men sèlman nan devwale pwòp panse li.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Lè yon nonm mechan vin parèt, mepriz la vini ansanm avè l; e avèk dezonè, wont vin parèt.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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.
The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Panche vè youn moun mechan an pa bon, ni pou fè jijman ki rache jistis nan men moun dwat yo.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Lèv a yon moun ensanse mennen konfli; bouch li ap mande kou.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Bouch a moun san konprann nan se dega li; e lèv li se pèlen pou nanm li.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 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.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Anplis, sila ki parese nan travay li a se frè a sila ki detwi.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Non SENYÈ a se yon sitadèl byen fò; moun ladwati a kouri ladann pou jwenn sekou.
Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Pou yon nonm rich, byen li se yon vil ki fò; kon yon miray byen wo nan panse li.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Avan destriksyon, kè yon nonm plen ògèy; men imilite ale devan onè.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Sila ki bay repons avan li koute a; plen foli ak wont.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Lespri a yon nonm kapab sipòte maladi; men nan ka lespri brize a, se kilès ki kab sipòte li?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Panse a sila ki gen bon konprann nan, ranmase konesans; anplis, zòrèy a saj la chache konesans.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Don a yon nonm fè kont espas pou li, e mennen li devan moun enpòtan.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Premye moun pou plede ka li a, sanble gen rezon; jiskaske yon lòt moun vin egzamine l.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Tiraj osò fè konfli sispann; lap pran desizyon antre moun pwisan yo.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
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 offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Se fwi a bouch moun ki satisfè vant li; l ap satisfè ak sa ke lèv li pwodwi.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Lanmò ak lavi nan pouvwa a lang lan; e sila ki renmen l yo, va manje fwi li.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Sila ki jwenn yon madanm, jwenn yon bon bagay, e twouve favè SENYÈ a.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh.
23 Malere a pale: “Souple, fè m gras”; men moun rich la reponn byen di.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Yon nonm ak anpil zanmi vin kraze nèt; men gen yon kalite zanmi ki rete pi pwòch pase yon frè.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
