1 Mieux vaut le pauvre qui vit honnêtement, que l’insensé qui a su se débrouiller. | 1 Better is the poor who walks in his simplicity, than the rich who twists his lips and is unwise. |
2 Même l’enthousiasme ne vaut rien s’il n’y a pas réflexion; qui se précipite perd son chemin. | 2 Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good. And whoever hurries with his feet will stumble. |
3 On se ruine par sa propre bêtise, et puis c’est à Yahvé qu’on s’en prend! | 3 The foolishness of a man undermines his steps. And then he seethes in his soul against God. |
4 La fortune attire de nombreux amis, tandis qu’en devenant pauvre on perd les siens. | 4 Riches adds many friends. But from the pauper, even those whom he had become separated. |
5 Le faux témoin ne restera pas impuni, celui qui ment quand il témoigne n’échappera pas. | 5 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will not escape. |
6 Un notable a beaucoup de flatteurs, tous sont amis de celui qui arrose. | 6 Many honor the character of one who is powerful, and there are friends for a giver of gifts. |
7 Le pauvre est rejeté de tous ses frères, ses amis ont été les premiers à s’éloigner. Avec qui parler? Ils ne se présentent pas. | 7 The brothers of the poor man hate him. Moreover, even his friends have withdrawn far from him. Whoever pursues only words shall have nothing. |
8 Qui acquiert du bon sens se fait du bien à lui-même; qui agit avec intelligence trouvera le bonheur. | 8 But whoever possesses reason loves his own soul. And one who guards prudence shall discover good things. |
9 Le faux témoin ne restera pas impuni, celui qui ment quand il témoigne périra. | 9 A false witness shall not go unpunished. And whoever speaks lies will perish. |
10 Il ne convient pas qu’un sot vive dans le luxe, et moins encore qu’un esclave commande à des princes. | 10 Fine things are not fitting for the foolish, nor is it fitting for a servant to rule over princes. |
11 Un homme intelligent surmonte sa colère; en méprisant l’offense il se grandit. | 11 The doctrine of a man is known through patience. And his glory is to pass beyond iniquities. |
12 La fureur du roi est comme le rugissement du lion, sa bienveillance est comme la rosée sur l’herbe. | 12 Like the roaring of a lion, so also is the wrath of a king. And his cheerfulness is like the dew upon the grass. |
13 Un fils stupide fait le malheur de son père; les criailleries d’une femme n’ont pas plus de fin qu’une fuite d’eau. | 13 A foolish son is the grief of his father. And an argumentative wife is like a roof that is continually leaking. |
14 On hérite de son père une maison et des biens, mais c’est Yahvé qui donne une épouse de bon sens. | 14 A house and its riches are given by parents. But a prudent wife is particularly from the Lord. |
15 La paresse amène la torpeur; le nonchalant connaîtra la faim. | 15 Laziness sends one into a deep sleep, and a dissolute soul will go hungry. |
16 Qui garde le commandement se garde lui-même; qui méprise la parole mourra. | 16 Whoever guards a commandment guards his own soul. But whoever neglects his own way will die. |
17 Qui a pitié du pauvre prête à Yahvé: il saura payer sa dette. | 17 Whoever is merciful to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will repay him for his efforts. |
18 Corrige ton fils tant qu’il y a espoir: sinon, tu serais responsable de sa mort. | 18 Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death. |
19 Celui qui s’est emporté doit payer; si on l’en exempte, il recommencera. | 19 Whoever is impatient will sustain damage. And when it has been taken away, he will set up another. |
20 Écoute les conseils, reçois l’enseignement: à la fin tu seras un sage. | 20 Listen to counsel and take up discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter days. |
21 L’homme soupèse les nombreuses possibilités, mais c’est le dessein de Yahvé qui se réalisera. | 21 There are many intentions in the heart of a man. But the will of the Lord shall stand firm. |
22 C’est la bonté d’un homme qui le fait aimer, on préfère un pauvre à un arrogant. | 22 An indigent man is merciful. And a pauper is better than a deceitful man. |
23 La crainte de Yahvé te fera vivre: tu dormiras tranquille, à l’abri du malheur. | 23 The fear of the Lord is unto life. And he shall linger in plentitude, without being visited by disaster. |
24 Quand le paresseux tend la main vers le plat, il ne la ramène pas à la bouche. | 24 The lazy conceals his hand under his arm, and he will not so much as bring it to his mouth. |
25 Punis le moqueur, et le naïf fera attention; fais une remarque à l’homme sensé et il comprendra. | 25 When the pestilent are scourged, the foolish will become wiser. But if you chastise the wise, he will understand discipline. |
26 Qui dépouille son père et chasse sa mère est un fils infâme et dénaturé. | 26 Whoever afflicts his father and flees from his mother is disreputable and unhappy. |
27 Quand le fils n’écoute plus ceux qui le reprennent, il ne peut que ruminer des pensées mauvaises. | 27 Son, do not cease listening to doctrine, and do not be ignorant of the sermons of knowledge. |
28 Un témoin pervers se moque de la justice; la bouche des méchants se complaît dans l’injustice. | 28 An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity. |
29 Le fouet est pour ceux qui se moquent, le bâton a été fait pour le dos des sots. | 29 Judgments are prepared for those who ridicule. And striking hammers are prepared for the bodies of the foolish. |