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 with joy, than a house full of victims 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 foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his Maker; and he that rejoiceth at another man’s ruin, shall not be unpunished.
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!
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8 Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
The expectation of him that expecteth, is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
12 Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
He that rendereth 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 quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.
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 just, both are abominable before God.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
17 Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18 Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
26 Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
He that setteth bounds to his words. is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
28 Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
