Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the wicked comes, then comes 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, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing 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 overthrow 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 calls for strokes.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, 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 talebearer are as wounds, 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 that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runs 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 an 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 man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to 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 wounded spirit who can bear?
Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts 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 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 satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
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 Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
