Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
Afadhali kula ukoko mkavu ukiwa na amani na utulivu kuliko kukaa kwenye nyumba ya karamu kukiwa na magomvi.
2 A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
Mtumishi mwenye hekima atatawala juu ya mwana aaibishaye, naye atashirikiana katika urithi kama mmoja wa hao ndugu.
3 The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
4 The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
5 Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Wana wa wana ni taji la wazee, nao wazazi ni fahari ya watoto wao.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
8 A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
9 He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
10 A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
11 An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
14 The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
Kuanzisha ugomvi ni kama kutoboa bwawa la maji; kwa hiyo acha jambo hilo kabla mabishano hayajaanza.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
Yeye asemaye kuwa asiye na haki ana haki, naye asemaye kuwa mwenye haki hana haki: Bwana huwachukia sana wote wawili.
16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
19 He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
20 He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
21 He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
22 A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
23 A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
26 To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
28 Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
