< Proverbs 18 >
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool's mouth is destruction to him, 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth 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 honour [goeth] humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth 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 an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 contentions are as the bars of a palace.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
20 A man's belly is satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips is he 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 they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man of [many] friends will come to ruin but there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.