Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest 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 lay itself bare.
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 as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside 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 strokes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
8 The words of a whisperer 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 Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.
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 conceit.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
12 Before destruction the heart of a 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 confusion unto him.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain 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 the prudent 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 pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
20 A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be 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 indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 There are friends that one hath to his own hurt; 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.
