Miyambo 18
1 Munthu wokonda kukhala yekha amafunafuna zomukomera yekha; iye amatsutsana ndi malangizo onse anzeru.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Chitsiru chilibe chidwi chomvetsa zinthu, koma chimakondwera ndi kuyankhula maganizo ake okha.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Kuyipa mtima kukabwera, manyozonso amabwera. Manyazi amabwera pamodzi ndi kunyozeka.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Mawu a munthu ali ngati madzi akuya, kasupe wa nzeru ndiye mtsinje wotumphuka.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Si kwabwino kukondera munthu woyipa pa milandu; kapena kupondereza munthu wosalakwa.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Mawu a chitsiru amautsa mkangano; pakamwa pake pamayitana mkwapulo.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Pakamwa pa chitsiru ndipo pamabweretsa chiwonongeko chake, ndipo milomo yake ili ngati msampha wa moyo wake.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Mawu a miseche ali ngati chakudya chokoma; amalowa mʼmimba mwa munthu.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Munthu waulesi pa ntchito yake ali pachibale ndi munthu amene amawononga zinthu.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Dzina la Yehova lili ngati nsanja yolimba; wolungama amathawiramo napulumuka.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Chuma cha anthu olemera chili ngati mzinda wake wolimba; chili ngati khoma lalitali limene amaganiza kuti limutchinjiriza.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Chiwonongeko chisanafike, mtima wa munthu umakhala wonyada, koma ulemu umatsatira kudzichepetsa.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Ukayankha usanamvetse bwino nkhani, umenewo ndi uchitsiru ndipo umachita manyazi.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Mtima wa munthu utha kupirira pa matenda, koma munthu akataya mtima ndani angathe kumulimbitsanso.
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Munthu wanzeru amawonjezera nzeru zina; amafunafuna kudziwa bwino zinthu.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Mphatso ya munthu imamutsekulira njira yomufikitsa pamaso pa anthu akuluakulu.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Amene amayamba kufotokoza mlandu wake amaoneka ngati wolungama ndiye mpaka mnzake atabwera ndi kumufunsa bwino.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Kuchita maere kumathetsa mikangano; amalekanitsa okangana amphamvu.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Mʼbale amene wamuthandiza amakhala ngati mzinda wolimba, koma kukangana naye kumatsekereza thandizo.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Munthu amapeza bwino malingana ndi zoyankhula zake. Adzakhuta ndi zipatso za pakamwa pake.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Mawu ako angathe kukuphetsa kapena kukukhalitsa moyo. Wokonda kuyankhulayankhula adzadya zipatso zake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Wapeza mkazi wapeza chinthu chabwino ndipo Yehova amamukomera mtima.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Munthu wosauka amapempha koma munthu wolemera amayankha mwaukali.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Pali abwenzi amene chibwenzi chawo nʼchapamaso, koma pali bwenzi limene limakukangamira kuposa mʼbale wako.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
