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 quietness, 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 servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance amongst the brothers.
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 tests the hearts.
4 Mtu mwovu husikiliza midomo mibaya; mwongo husikiliza kwa makini ulimi wa madhara.
An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Yeye anaye mdhihaki maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wake; yeyote afurahiaye maafa hataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity 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; the glory of children is their parents.
7 Midomo yenye uwezo wa ushawishi haimfai mpumbavu: je, ni mibaya kiasi gani zaidi midomo ya uongo kwa mtawala!
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8 Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; kokote kigeukiapo, hufanikiwa.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 Yeye anayesamehe kosa hudumisha upendo, bali yeyote arudiaye jambo hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He who covers an offence promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10 Karipio humwingia sana mtu mwenye kutambua kuliko mapigo mia kwa mpumbavu.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hupenda kuasi tu; mjumbe asiye na huruma atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore 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 cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Ikiwa mtu atalipa baya kwa jema, kamwe ubaya hautaondoka katika nyumba yake.
Whoever rewards 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 like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarrelling breaks out.
15 Yeye asemaye kuwa asiye na haki ana haki, naye asemaye kuwa mwenye haki hana haki: Bwana huwachukia sana wote wawili.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16 Fedha ina faida gani mikononi mwa mpumbavu, wakati yeye hana haja ya kupata hekima?
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Rafiki hupenda wakati wote naye ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya wakati wa shida.
A friend loves 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 man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbour.
19 Yeye apendaye ugomvi apenda dhambi; naye ainuaye sana lango lake hutafuta uharibifu.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo mpotovu hawezi kufanikiwa; naye ambaye ulimi wake ni mdanganyifu huanguka kwenye taabu.
One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21 Kuwa na mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni; hakuna furaha kwa baba wa mpumbavu.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
22 Moyo wenye furaha ni dawa nzuri, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa kwa siri ili kupotosha njia ya haki.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Mtu wa ufahamu huitazama hekima, lakini macho ya mpumbavu huhangaika hadi kwenye miisho ya dunia.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana mpumbavu huleta huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa yeye aliyemzaa.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Si vizuri kumwadhibu mtu asiye na hatia, au kuwapiga sana maafisa kwa ajili ya uadilifu wao.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27 Mtu mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno kwa kujizuia, naye mtu mwenye ufahamu ana moyo wa utulivu.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered 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 keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
