Proverbs 18
1 He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, shame.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
8 The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 Moreover, he 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 to 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 a 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 a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He who answereth a matter before he hath heard 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 intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
16 A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder the mighty.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; Yea, 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 With the fruit of a man's mouth shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
