< Engero 18 >
1 Eyeggya ku banne aba yeerowoozako yekka, era tawuliriza magezi gamuweebwa.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Omusirusiru tasanyukira kutegeera, ky’asanyukira kyokka kwe kwogera by’alowooza.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 Okukola ekibi bwe kujja n’okunyooma kujjirako, era awali okuyisaamu omuntu amaaso wabaawo okunyoomoola.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Ebigambo by’omu kamwa k’omuntu mazzi ga buziba, naye ensulo ey’amagezi mugga ogukulukuta.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 Si kirungi kuttira mubi ku liiso, oba okusaliriza omutuukirivu.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 Akamwa k’omusirusiru kamuleetera entalo era akamwa ke kamuleetera okukubwa emiggo.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 Akamwa k’omusirusiru ke kamuleetera okuzikirira, era n’emimwa gye mutego eri emmeeme ye.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 Ebigambo by’omuntu ageya biri ng’emmere ewoomerera, bigenda mu bitundu by’omubiri eby’ewala.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Omuntu omugayaavu mu mirimu gy’akola, waluganda n’oyo azikiriza.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 Erinnya lya Mukama kigo ky’amaanyi, omutuukirivu addukira omwo n’afuna emirembe.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 Obugagga bw’omugagga, kye kibuga kye ekiriko bbugwe ow’amaanyi, era mu kulaba kwe, kigo kye ekigumu ekitarinnyika.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Omuntu nga tannagwa, omutima gwe gwegulumiza, naye okwetoowaza kumuweesa ekitiibwa.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Oyo addamu amangu mu nsonga gy’ateetegerezza, buba busirusiru bwe era buswavu.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 Omwoyo gw’omuntu gumuwanirira mu bulwadde, naye emmeeme eyennyise ani ayinza okugigumiikiriza?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Omutima gw’omwegendereza guyiga okumanya, amatu g’omuntu omugezi gawuliriza.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 Ekirabo ky’omuntu kimuseguliza, era kimutuusa ne mu maaso g’abeekitiibwa.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Asooka okweyogerako y’afaanana ng’omutuufu, okutuusa omulala lw’amubuuza ebibuuzo.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Okukuba akalulu kimalawo empaka, era kisalawo eggoye wakati w’abawakana ab’amaanyi.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 Kyangu okuwamba ekibuga ekiriko bbugwe ow’amaanyi, okusinga okukomyawo owooluganda anyiize, era ennyombo ziba ng’empagi z’ekigo.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 Omuntu anakkutanga ebigambo ebiva mu kamwa ke; ebibala ebijjula akamwa ke bye binamukkusanga.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Olulimi lulina obuyinza okuwa obulamu oba okutta, era n’abo abalwagala balirya ebibala byalwo.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Azuula omukazi omulungi ow’okuwasa aba azudde ekirungi, era aganja eri Mukama.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Omwavu yeegayirira, naye omugagga addamu na bbogo.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 Akwana emikwano emingi yeereetera okuzikirira, naye wabaawo ow’omukwano akwagala ennyo okusinga owooluganda.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.