Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and snarlest 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 lay itself bare.
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 as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
5 It is not good to respect the person of the wicked, so as to turn aside 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 strokes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
7 A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
8 The words of a whisperer 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 Even one that is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is set up on high.
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 conceit.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
12 Before destruction the heart of a 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 confusion unto him.
Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain 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 the prudent 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 pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.
Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
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 kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
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 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 indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a great good, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth impudently.
Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu 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.
Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
