Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may reveal itself.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh 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 well-spring 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 calleth 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 tale-bearer [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 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 a 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 answereth a matter before he heareth [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 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 is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
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 [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 of it.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
[Whoever] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favor from 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.
A man [that hath] friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
