Proverbs 18
1 A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
2 A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
3 When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonour and reproach come upon him.
Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
4 A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
6 The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
7 A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
8 Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
9 A man who helps not himself by his labour is brother of him that ruins himself.
Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
10 The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
11 The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
12 Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honour it is humble.
Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
13 Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
14 A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
15 The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
16 A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
17 A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
18 A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
19 A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
20 A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
Tumbo la mtu litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
22 He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a ] [good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
