Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, 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 wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
11 The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] 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 From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 will eat its fruit.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
