Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable 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 proud, but before honor is humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. 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 cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is 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; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man of many companions may be ruined, 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.
