Engero 18
1 Eyeggya ku banne aba yeerowoozako yekka, era tawuliriza magezi gamuweebwa.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Omusirusiru tasanyukira kutegeera, ky’asanyukira kyokka kwe kwogera by’alowooza.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 Okukola ekibi bwe kujja n’okunyooma kujjirako, era awali okuyisaamu omuntu amaaso wabaawo okunyoomoola.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 Ebigambo by’omu kamwa k’omuntu mazzi ga buziba, naye ensulo ey’amagezi mugga ogukulukuta.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Si kirungi kuttira mubi ku liiso, oba okusaliriza omutuukirivu.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 Akamwa k’omusirusiru kamuleetera entalo era akamwa ke kamuleetera okukubwa emiggo.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 Akamwa k’omusirusiru ke kamuleetera okuzikirira, era n’emimwa gye mutego eri emmeeme ye.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 Ebigambo by’omuntu ageya biri ng’emmere ewoomerera, bigenda mu bitundu by’omubiri eby’ewala.
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 Omuntu omugayaavu mu mirimu gy’akola, waluganda n’oyo azikiriza.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 Erinnya lya Mukama kigo ky’amaanyi, omutuukirivu addukira omwo n’afuna emirembe.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 Obugagga bw’omugagga, kye kibuga kye ekiriko bbugwe ow’amaanyi, era mu kulaba kwe, kigo kye ekigumu ekitarinnyika.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Omuntu nga tannagwa, omutima gwe gwegulumiza, naye okwetoowaza kumuweesa ekitiibwa.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Oyo addamu amangu mu nsonga gy’ateetegerezza, buba busirusiru bwe era buswavu.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 Omwoyo gw’omuntu gumuwanirira mu bulwadde, naye emmeeme eyennyise ani ayinza okugigumiikiriza?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Omutima gw’omwegendereza guyiga okumanya, amatu g’omuntu omugezi gawuliriza.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 Ekirabo ky’omuntu kimuseguliza, era kimutuusa ne mu maaso g’abeekitiibwa.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 Asooka okweyogerako y’afaanana ng’omutuufu, okutuusa omulala lw’amubuuza ebibuuzo.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Okukuba akalulu kimalawo empaka, era kisalawo eggoye wakati w’abawakana ab’amaanyi.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 Kyangu okuwamba ekibuga ekiriko bbugwe ow’amaanyi, okusinga okukomyawo owooluganda anyiize, era ennyombo ziba ng’empagi z’ekigo.
A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 Omuntu anakkutanga ebigambo ebiva mu kamwa ke; ebibala ebijjula akamwa ke bye binamukkusanga.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
21 Olulimi lulina obuyinza okuwa obulamu oba okutta, era n’abo abalwagala balirya ebibala byalwo.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Azuula omukazi omulungi ow’okuwasa aba azudde ekirungi, era aganja eri Mukama.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 Omwavu yeegayirira, naye omugagga addamu na bbogo.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 Akwana emikwano emingi yeereetera okuzikirira, naye wabaawo ow’omukwano akwagala ennyo okusinga owooluganda.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
