Mithali 17
1 Afadhali kula ukoko mkavu ukiwa na amani na utulivu kuliko kukaa kwenye nyumba ya karamu kukiwa na magomvi.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting [with] strife.
2 Mtumishi mwenye hekima atatawala juu ya mwana aaibishaye, naye atashirikiana katika urithi kama mmoja wa hao ndugu.
A wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Wana wa wana ni taji la wazee, nao wazazi ni fahari ya watoto wao.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Kuanzisha ugomvi ni kama kutoboa bwawa la maji; kwa hiyo acha jambo hilo kabla mabishano hayajaanza.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 Yeye asemaye kuwa asiye na haki ana haki, naye asemaye kuwa mwenye haki hana haki: Bwana huwachukia sana wote wawili.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.
26 Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
