Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
For the desire thereof hee will separate himselfe to seeke it, and occupie himselfe in all wisdome.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A foole hath no delite in vnderstanding: but that his heart may be discouered.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When the wicked commeth, then commeth contempt, and with the vile man reproch.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A fooles lips come with strife, and his mouth calleth for stripes.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
A fooles mouth is his owne destruction, and his lips are a snare for his soule.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
He also that is slouthfull in his worke, is euen the brother of him that is a great waster.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth vnto it, and is exalted.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before destruction the heart of a man is hautie, and before glory goeth lowlines.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
He that answereth a matter before hee heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man will susteine his infirmitie: but a wounded spirit who can beare it?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
A wise heart getteth knowledge, and the eare of the wise seeketh learning.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and maketh a partition among the mightie.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
With the fruite of a mans mouth shall his belly be satisfied, and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Death and life are in the power of ye tongue, and they that loue it, shall eate the fruite thereof.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and receiueth fauour of the Lord.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poore speaketh with prayers: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man that hath friends, ought to shew him selfe friendly: for a friend is neerer then a brother.
