Proverbs 31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

Men Pawòl wa Lemwèl, men konsèy manman l' te ba li:

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Kisa pou m' di ou, pitit mwen, pitit ki soti nan zantray mwen? Se mwen ki te mande Bondye pou l' ban mwen ou. Kisa pou m' di ou?

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Pa gaspiye kouray ou nan fanm. Veye zo ou ak fanm k'ap fè malè chèf yo.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Lemwèl monchè, yon wa pa fèt pou nan bwè bweson. Chèf pa fèt pou nan bwè gwòg.

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Lè yo bwè konsa, yo bliye lòd yo te bay. Yo p'ap pran ka malere yo.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Se moun ki dekouraje ak lavi ki tonbe nan gwòg. Se moun ki gen gwo lapenn nan kè yo ki lage kò yo nan bweson.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Yo bwè pou yo bliye mizè yo, pou yo pa chonje lapenn yo.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Louvri bouch ou pale pou moun ki pa ka pale pou tèt yo. Defann kòz moun ki san sekou yo.

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Pale pou yo. Pa fè patipri. Defann kòz malere yo ak endijan yo.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Sa pa fasil pou moun jwenn yon bon madanm. Lè li jwenn li, li gen plis valè pase yon boul lò.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Mari l' mete tout konfyans li nan li. Tout bagay ap mache byen lakay li.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Madanm lan p'ap janm aji mal ak mari l', l'ap pase tout lavi l' ap fè l' byen.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Li chache lenn mouton ak fil swa, li travay yo fè twal ak men l'.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Tankou bato k'ap pote machandiz, li al byen lwen chache manje mete nan kay la.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Solèy poko leve, li gen tan sou pye l', l'ap pare manje pou moun nan kay la. L'ap di sèvant yo sa pou yo fè.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Li fè lide sou yon tè, li achte l' ak lajan li fè ak men l'. Li fè jaden rezen sou li.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Li mare ren l', li twouse manch rad li pou l' travay.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Li santi zafè l' ap mache byen, li rete byen ta lannwit ap travay.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Li file koton, li koud rad li.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Li lonje men l' bay pòv. Li pran ka malere.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Li pa pè fredi pou moun lakay li, paske tout moun gen rad cho pou mete sou yo.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Li fè kouvèti lenn pou kabann yo. Tout rad li yo fèt ak twal wouj tise byen sere.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Mari l', se yonn nan chèf fanmi lavil la. Tout moun lavil la ap nonmen non l' an byen.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Madanm li fe rad pou l' vann, li fè bèl senti, li vann yo ak machann.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Li gen anpil kouraj, tout moun respekte l', li pa pè denmen.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Lè li louvri bouch li, se bon konsèy li bay. Li toujou gen bon pawòl nan bouch li.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Li konnen vire tounen tout moun nan kay la. Li toujou gen yon bagay l'ap fè.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Tout pitit li yo ap fè l' konpliman. Mari l' menm ap fè lwanj li.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

L'ap di: Mwen konnen anpil madanm. Men ou menm, nanpwen tankou ou!

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Bèl fanm pa di bon madanm pou sa. Bèl figi pa la pou lontan. Men, y'a fè lwanj yon fanm ki gen krentif pou Seyè a.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Ba li sa ki pou li a. Lè y'a wè sa l' fè, se pou tout moun fè lwanj li.