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 morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 Mtumishi mwenye hekima atatawala juu ya mwana aaibishaye, naye atashirikiana katika urithi kama mmoja wa hao ndugu.
A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
3 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
6 Wana wa wana ni taji la wazee, nao wazazi ni fahari ya watoto wao.
Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.
7 Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
8 Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
11 Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
He that rewardeth euil for good, euil 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 strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
15 Yeye asemaye kuwa asiye na haki ana haki, naye asemaye kuwa mwenye haki hana haki: Bwana huwachukia sana wote wawili.
He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
17 Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
18 Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
25 Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
26 Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
