Proverbs 17
1 Better a dry morsel, and peace therewith, than a house full of contentious sacrifices.
Ni bora kuwa na utulivu pamoja chembe za mkate kuliko nyumba yenye sherehe nyingi pamoja na ugomvi.
2 A prudent servant, shall rule over a son who causeth shame, and, in the midst of brothers, shall he share the inheritance.
Mtumishi mwenye busara atatawala juu ya mwana atendaye kwa aibu na atashiriki urithi kama mmoja wa ndugu.
3 Fining-pot for silver, crucible for gold, but, he that trieth hearts, is Yahweh.
Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
4 Discord, giveth heed to the aggrieving lip, —Falsehood, giveth ear to the destroying tongue.
Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
5 He that mocketh the poor, hath reproached his Maker, He that maketh merry at distress, shall not be held innocent.
Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
6 The crown of old men, consists of children’s children, and the adornment of children, is their fathers.
Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
7 Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
8 A gift, in the eyes of its owner, is, a stone of beauty, whithersoever it turneth, it bringeth prosperity.
Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
9 He that hideth a transgression, seeketh love, but, he that repeateth a matter, separateth intimate friends.
Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
10 A reproof sinketh more deeply into an intelligent man than a hundred stripes, into a dullard!
Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
11 Nothing less than rebellion, doth a wicked man seek, and, a relentless messenger, shall be sent out against him.
Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
12 Let a bereaved bear encounter man, rather than a dullard, with his folly!
Ni bora kukutana na dubu aliyeporwa watoto wake kuliko kukutana na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
13 He that returneth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
14 A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
Mwanzo wa mafarakano ni kama mtu anayefungulia maji kila mahali, hivyo ondoka kwenye mabishano kabla ya kutokea.
15 He that justifieth the lawless, and he that condemneth the righteous, an abomination to Yahweh, are they, both.
Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a dullard? that he who is without sense, may acquire wisdom.
Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
17 At all times, doth a friend love, and, a brother for distress, must be born.
Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
18 A man lacking sense, is one who striketh hands, giving security, before his neighbour.
Mtu asiyekuwa na akili hufanya ahadi zenye mashariti na kuanza kuwajibika kwa madeni ya jirani yake.
19 A lover of transgression, is one who loveth strife, he that heighteneth his door, seeketh grievous harm.
Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
20 The crooked in heart, shall not find good, and, he that is perverse with his tongue, shall fall into wickedness.
Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
21 He that begetteth a dullard, it is to his own grief, neither can the father of the base, rejoice.
Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
22 A joyful heart, worketh an excellent cure, —but, a stricken spirit, drieth up the bone.
Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
23 A bribe out of his bosom, doth a lawless man take, to pervert the ways of justice.
Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
24 Before the face of the discerning, is wisdom, but, the eyes of a dullard, are in the ends of the earth.
Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
25 A vexation to his father, is the son that is a dullard, and a bitterness, to her that bare him.
Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa mwanamke aliyemzaa.
26 Surely, to chastise the righteous, is not good, to smite the noble-minded for equity.
Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
27 Sparing of his words, is one who valueth knowledge, and, of a thoughtful spirit, is a man of intelligence.
Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
28 Even a fool, holding his peace, is accounted, wise, —He that closeth his lips, [is thought] to have understanding.
Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
