Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgement.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
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 like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
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 a snare to his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The LORD’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable 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 proud, but before honour is humility.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. 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 who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. 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 in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the LORD.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
