Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
One who isolates himself seeks his own desire and he quarrels with all sound judgment.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but only in revealing what is in his own heart.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— along with shame and 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 deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, nor to deny justice to the righteous person.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A fool's lips bring him conflict and his mouth invites a beating.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
A fool's mouth is his ruin and he ensnares himself with his lips.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels and they go down into the inner parts of the body.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
Also, one who is slack in his work is a brother to the one who destroys the most.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous person runs into it and is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The wealth of the rich is his fortified city and in his imagination it is like a high wall.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
One who answers before listening— it is his folly and shame.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
A person's spirit will survive sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear it?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge and the hearing of the wise seeks it out.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
The first to plead his case seems right until his opponent comes and questions him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
Casting the lot settles disputes and separates strong opponents.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Death and life are controlled by the tongue, and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and receives favor from Yahweh.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
A poor person pleads for mercy, but a rich person answers harshly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother.
