Proverbs 18
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the wicked cometh, [then] 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, [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 calleth 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 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 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 honour [is] humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], 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 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 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 [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 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and 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.
