Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh [his] pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom.
Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
3 When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.
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 wicked, to wrong the righteous in judgment.
Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
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 hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
8 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
9 He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.
Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
10 The name of Jehovah is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia 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 imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour [goeth] humility.
Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.
Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?
Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
15 The heart of an intelligent [man] getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
17 He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
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 kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
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 litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found a good thing, and hath obtained favour from Jehovah.
Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
23 He that is poor speaketh with supplications, but the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu 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.
Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
