Proverbs 18
1 He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
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 mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
5 It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
6 The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
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 hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
8 The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
9 He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia 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 imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
12 Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
13 When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
15 The heart of the man of understanding will obtain 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 before great men will it lead him.
Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
17 He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
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 kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
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 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 love it will eat its fruit.
Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
22 Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
23 The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu 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.
Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
