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 flesh-banquets with strife.
2 Mtumishi mwenye hekima atatawala juu ya mwana aaibishaye, naye atashirikiana katika urithi kama mmoja wa hao ndugu.
A prudent servant shall rule over a son who causeth shame; Yea, with brothers he shall share the inheritance.
3 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru ni kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali Bwana huujaribu moyo.
The refining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth hearts.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
An evil-doer listeneth to mischievous lips; And a liar giveth ear to a destructive tongue.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; He that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished.
6 Wana wa wana ni taji la wazee, nao wazazi ni fahari ya watoto wao.
Children's children are the crown of the aged, And their fathers the glory of sons.
7 Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
Excellent speech becometh not the base; How much less lying lips the 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 him who taketh it; Whithersoever it turneth it hath success.
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He who covereth an offence seeketh love; But he who recurreth to a matter removeth a friend.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A reproof will penetrate deeper into a wise man 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; Therefore shall a cruel messenger be sent against him.
12 Ni afadhali ukutane na dubu aliyenyangʼanywa watoto wake, kuliko mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her whelps, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
Whoso returneth 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 strife is as when one letteth out water; Therefore leave off contention before it rolleth onward.
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 alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
Why should a price be 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.
A friend loveth at all times; But in adversity he is born a brother.
18 Mtu mjinga hupana mkono ili kuweka rehani, naye huweka dhamana kwa jirani yake.
A man who lacketh understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
He who loveth strife loveth transgression; He who raiseth high his gate seeketh ruin.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
He that is of a deceitful heart shall find no good; And he that turneth about with his tongue shall fall into mischief.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
Whoso begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow; Yea, the father of the fool hath no joy.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A merry heart doeth good to the body; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
The wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of judgment.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Wisdom is before the face of 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.
Moreover, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to smite the noble for their equity.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
He that spareth his words is imbued with knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Hata mtu mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na hekima kama akinyamaza, na mwenye ufahamu kama akiuzuia ulimi wake.
Even a fool, when he is silent, is accounted wise; He that shutteth his lips is a man of understanding.
