Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but only that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy cometh 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; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
To accept the person of the wicked is not good, [nor] to turn aside 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 calleth for stripes.
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 whisperer are as dainty, morsels, 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 slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer.
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 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 imagination.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [goeth] humility.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto 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 broken spirit who can bear?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth 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 [such] 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 filled with the fruit of his mouth; with the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
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.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor useth entreaties: but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction: but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
