Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
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 as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to 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 runs into it, and is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the prudent gets knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings 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 own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.
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 be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; 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 the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of the LORD.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor uses entreaties; but the rich answers roughly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
