1 Celui qui aime son fils ne lui épargne pas le fouet, plus tard il trouvera en lui sa joie. | 1 He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours. |
2 Qui élève bien son fils y trouvera des satisfactions, il en sera fier devant ses proches. | 2 He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household. |
3 Celui qui instruit son fils rendra jaloux son ennemi; il s’en réjouira devant ses amis. | 3 He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him. |
4 Quand ce père disparaît, c’est comme s’il n’était pas mort, car il laisse après lui un autre lui-même. | 4 His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself. |
5 Durant sa vie, c’était son bonheur de le voir; quand vient la mort il n’a pas de chagrin. | 5 While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies. |
6 Car il laisse, face à ses ennemis, celui qui fera justice, et pour ses amis, celui qui leur montrera de la reconnaissance. | 6 For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends. |
7 Celui qui gâte son fils devra panser ses blessures; au moindre de ses cris il sera retourné. | 7 For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled. |
8 Un cheval indompté devient impossible, un fils laissé à lui-même devient intraitable. | |
9 Tu veux choyer ton enfant? un jour il te fera peur; folâtre avec lui, il te causera du chagrin. | 9 dummy verses inserted by amos |
10 Ne ris pas avec lui, si tu ne veux pas un jour t’affliger avec lui et finalement grincer des dents. | 10 Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful. |
11 Ne lui laisse pas la bride sur le cou dans sa jeunesse, | 11 Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge. |
12 Malmène lui les côtes quand il est petit, de peur qu’il ne s’obstine et se rebelle. | 12 Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices. |
13 Éduque bien ton fils, travaille-le, ou sinon son inconduite se retournera contre toi. | 13 Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee. |
14 Mieux vaut un pauvre en bonne santé et vigoureux qu’un riche éprouvé dans son corps. | 14 Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee. |
15 La santé et une bonne constitution valent mieux que tout l’or du monde, et un corps robuste, qu’une immense fortune. | 15 Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils. |
16 Il n’y a pas de plus grande richesse que la santé du corps, il n’y a pas de plaisir supérieur à la joie de vivre. | 16 Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues. |
17 Mieux vaut la mort qu’une vie de misères, et le repos éternel qu’une maladie tenace. | 17 There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart. |
18 Déposer sur les tombes des offrandes de nourriture, c’est présenter de bonnes choses à une bouche fermée; | 18 Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness. |
19 de même l’offrande faite à une idole: à quoi bon, puisqu’elle ne mange ni ne sent rien? Ainsi en est-il de l’homme que le Seigneur poursuit: | 19 Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as masses of meat set about a grave. |
20 il voit la nourriture et il soupire; il est comme l’homme châtré qui enlace une jeune fille et gémit. | 20 What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell: |
21 Ne te laisse pas aller à la tristesse, ne te tourmente pas au sujet de ton avenir. | 21 So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity: |
22 Un cœur joyeux, voilà ce qui maintient l’homme en vie; c’est la gaieté qui prolonge ses jours. | 22 He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing. |
23 Allons! Divertis-toi et console ton cœur; chasse la tristesse loin de toi, car la tristesse en a perdu beaucoup et elle ne sert absolument à rien. | 23 Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. |
24 La jalousie et la fureur abrègent la vie, les soucis font vieillir avant l’âge. | 24 The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life. |
25 Qui a le cœur joyeux a bon appétit; ce qu’il mange lui profite. | 25 Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee. |
| 26 For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it. |
| 27 Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time. |