Mithali 17
1 Afadhali kula ukoko mkavu ukiwa na amani na utulivu kuliko kukaa kwenye nyumba ya karamu kukiwa na magomvi.
Better to eat a dry scrap in peace than to feast in a house full of people arguing.
2 Mtumishi mwenye hekima atatawala juu ya mwana aaibishaye, naye atashirikiana katika urithi kama mmoja wa hao ndugu.
A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.
3 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
Evil people listen to spiteful talk, and liars pay attention to malicious words.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, and anyone who enjoys the suffering of others will be punished.
6 Wana wa wana ni taji la wazee, nao wazazi ni fahari ya watoto wao.
Old people are proud of their grandchildren, and children are proud of their parents.
7 Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
Fine words don't suit stupid people, how much less are lies suited to a ruler.
8 Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
Whoever gives a bribe thinks it's a magical stone—that wherever they turn they'll have success!
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
If you forgive a wrong you encourage friendship, but if you keep talking about it you'll lose your friend.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A reprimand hits a thinking person more than one hundred blows hit someone stupid.
11 Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
Evil people are only looking to rebel, so a cruel messenger will be sent to attack them.
12 Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
Better to meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs than a stupid person and their foolishness.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
14 Kuanzisha ugomvi ni kama kutoboa bwawa la maji; kwa hiyo acha jambo hilo kabla mabishano hayajaanza.
The beginning of a quarrel is like the first leak in a water dam, so drop it before a major argument bursts out.
15 Yeye asemaye kuwa asiye na haki ana haki, naye asemaye kuwa mwenye haki hana haki: Bwana huwachukia sana wote wawili.
The Lord hates it when the wicked are acquitted and the innocent condemned.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
Is there any point in stupid people trying to buy wisdom when they don't want to learn?
17 Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
A true friend is always there to love you, and family provides help when troubles come.
18 Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
It's not a wise idea to make a pledge and guarantee a neighbor's debt.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
People with warped minds don't succeed; those who tell lies get into trouble.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
A stupid son brings grief to his father; the father of a child who does stupid things has no joy.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A cheerful attitude is like good medicine, but discouragement makes you sick.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
The wicked take hidden bribes to pervert the course of justice.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Sensible people focus on wisdom, but the eyes of stupid people are always wandering.
25 Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
A stupid son brings grief to his father and sadness to his mother who gave birth to him.
26 Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
If you're wise, you'll be careful what you say; and if you're sensible, you'll keep your temper.
28 Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
Even stupid people who keep quiet are considered wise; if they don't say anything they appear intelligent.
