Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
The foolish do not accept words of prudence, unless you say what is already turning in his heart.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
The impious, when he has arrived within the depths of sin, thinks little of it. But ill repute and disgrace follow him.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
Words from the mouth of a man are deep waters. And the fountain of wisdom is a torrent overflowing.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
It is not good to accept the character of the impious, so as to turn away from true judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
The lips of the foolish meddle in disputes. And his mouth provokes conflicts.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of the double-tongued seem simple. And they reach even to the interior of the gut. Fear casts down the lazy, but the souls of the effeminate shall go hungry.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
Whoever is dissolute and slack in his work is the brother of him who wastes his own works.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the Lord is a very strong tower. The just one rushes to it, and he shall be exalted.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
The heart of a man is exalted before it is crushed and humbled before it is glorified.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
Whoever responds before he listens, demonstrates himself to be foolish and deserving of confusion.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man sustains his weakness. Yet who can sustain a spirit that is easily angered?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
A prudent heart shall possess knowledge. And the ear of the wise seeks doctrine.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother who is helped by a brother is like a reinforced city, and judgments are like the bars of cities.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
From the fruit of a man’s mouth shall his belly be filled. And the harvest of his own lips shall satisfy him.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He who has found a good wife has found goodness, and he shall draw contentment from the Lord. He who expels a good wife expels goodness. But he who holds on to an adulteress is foolish and impious.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor will speak with supplications. And the rich will express themselves roughly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
