Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
Selfish people only please themselves, they attack anything that makes good sense.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
Stupid people have no interest in trying to understand, they only want to express their opinions.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
With wickedness comes contempt; with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
What stupid people say gets them into fights, as if they're asking for a beating.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
Stupid people are caught out by what they say; their own words trap them.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
Laziness and destruction are brothers.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The Lord is a protective tower that good people can run to and be safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Pride leads to destruction; humility goes before honor.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
Replying before hearing is stupidity and shame.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
With a brave spirit you can put up with sickness, but if it's crushed, you can't bear it.
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
An intelligent mind acquires knowledge; the wise are ready to hear knowledge.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
Casting lots can end disputes and decide between powerful people.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town. Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
Make sure you're satisfied with what you say—you have to live with your words.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
What you say has the power to bring life or to kill; those who love talking will have to deal with the consequences.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
If you find a wife, that's great, and you'll be blessed by the Lord.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor beg for mercy, but the rich reply harshly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
Some friends give up on you, but there's a friend who stays closer to you than a brother.
