Proverbs 18
1 He who desires to separate himself seeks excuses, and rages against all sound wisdom.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with disgrace, reproach.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters. The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for stripes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 He also that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. A righteous man runs into it, and is safe.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own imagination.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, but a broken spirit who can bear?
Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 The heart of a prudent man gets knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 He who pleads his case first seems just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the increase of his lips he shall be satisfied.
Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it shall eat the fruit of it.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from Jehovah.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 A poor man uses entreaties, but a rich man answers roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 He who makes many friends does it to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
