Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
