Masese 26
1 Ndenge mvula ya pembe elimwaka na tango ya molunge, mpe mvula enokaka te na tango ya elanga, ndenge wana mpe lokumu oyo bapesi na zoba ekowumela na ye te.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suitable for a fool.
2 Ndenge ndeke ya moke oyo babengaka mwano ekendaka bipai na bipai to mbilambila epumbwaka-pumbwaka, ndenge wana mpe elakeli mabe ezwaka te moto oyo asali na ye mabe te.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 Ndenge fimbu ezalaka malamu mpo na mpunda, mpe ekangiseli ezalaka malamu mpo na monoko ya ane, ndenge wana mpe fimbu ezalaka malamu mpo na mokongo ya zoba.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Kozongisela zoba te kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te okokokana na ye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him.
5 Zongisela zoba kolanda bozoba na ye, noki te akomimona moto ya bwanya na miso na ye moko.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 Moto oyo atindaka sango na nzela ya zoba azali lokola moto oyo amikati makolo mpe amilukeli makambo.
He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 Ndenge makolo ya ebosono ezalaka makasi te, ndenge wana mpe masese ezalaka na nguya te kati na monoko ya zoba.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kopesa zoba lokumu ezali lokola kotia libanga na ebambelo mabanga.
As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
9 Lisese kati na monoko ya zoba ezali lokola etape ya banzube kati na loboko ya moto oyo alangwe masanga.
As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 Moto oyo azwaka zoba to moleki nzela na mosala azali lokola soda oyo azokisaka moto nyonso na likonga.
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 Ndenge kaka mbwa ezongelaka kolia biloko oyo yango moko esanzi, ndenge wana mpe zoba azongelaka bozoba na ye.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Eleki malamu kotia elikya na zoba, na esika ete otia elikya na moto oyo amimonaka moto ya bwanya na miso na ye moko.
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Moto ya goyigoyi alobaka: « Nkosi ekangi nzela! Nyama moko ya mabe ezali na kati-kati ya balabala! »
The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 Moto ya goyigoyi abalukaka na mbeto na ye ndenge ekuke ebalukaka na biloko oyo efungolaka yango.
As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
15 Moto ya goyigoyi akotisaka loboko na ye kati na bilei, kasi akokaka te kozongisa yango na monoko.
The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 Moto ya goyigoyi amimonaka ete azali na bwanya koleka bato sambo ya mayele.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 Moto oyo akotaka makambo oyo etali ye te azali lokola moto oyo akangi mbwa na matoyi.
He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 Ndenge moto ya liboma abwakaka moto, makonga mpe kufa,
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 ndenge wana mpe moto oyo akosi moninga na ye alobaka: « Ezalaki kaka mpo na kosala maseki! »
So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Soki bakoni ezali te, moto ekokufa; soki bato ya songisongi bazali te, koswana ekokita.
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 Ndenge makala engalaka na mbabola, mpe bakoni epelisaka moto, ndenge wana mpe moto oyo alinga koswana ayeisaka matata.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 Maloba ya moto ya songisongi ezalaka lokola bilei ya kitoko, ekitaka na esengo kino na libumu.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Maloba ya sukali ya moto ya motema mabe ezalaka lokola palata ya mbindo oyo bapakoli na mbeki basala na mabele.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Moto oyo ayinaka moninga na ye amibombaka na maloba na ye, kasi atondi na lokuta kati na motema na ye.
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 Ata soki abimisi maloba ya esengo, kondimela ye te, pamba te makambo sambo ya mbindo ebombama kati na motema na ye.
When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Akoki solo kobomba makanisi na ye ya mabe na maloba ya lokuta, kasi motema mabe na ye ekosuka se na koyebana na miso ya bato nyonso.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Moto oyo atimolaka libulu akweyaka ye moko kati na yango; mpe moto oyo atindikaka libanga, libanga yango ekozongela kaka ye moko.
Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Lolemo ya lokuta eyinaka bato oyo ezokisi, mpe maloba ya sukali ememaka libebi.
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
