Mithali 26
1 Kama theluji wakati wa kiangazi au mvua wakati wa mavuno, ndivyo asivyostahili heshima mpumbavu.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 Kama shomoro apigapigavyo mabawa yake au mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake kasi, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyo na sababu haimpati mtu.
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, nayo fimbo kwa migongo ya wapumbavu!
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama wewe mwenyewe utakuwa kama yeye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Mjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama atakuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 Kama vile ilivyo kujikata miguu au kunywa hasara, ndivyo ilivyo kutuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Kama mwiba kwenye mkono wa mlevi ndivyo ilivyo mithali kinywani mwa mpumbavu.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Kama mpiga upinde ambaye hujeruhi ovyo, ndivyo alivyo yeye aajiriye mpumbavu au yeyote apitaye njiani.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Je, unamwona mtu ajionaye mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Liko tumaini zaidi kwa mpumbavu kuliko kwake.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba barabarani, simba mkali anazunguka mitaa!”
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo mvivu ajigeuzavyo kitandani mwake.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, naye huchoka kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, kuliko watu saba wawezao kujibu kwa busara.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 Kama yeye amkamataye mbwa kwa masikio, ndivyo alivyo mtu apitaye njiani na kujiingiza kwenye ugomvi usiomhusu.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 ndivyo alivyo mtu amdanganyaye jirani yake na kusema, “Nilikuwa nikifanya mzaha tu!”
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Bila kuni moto huzimika; pasipo uchongezi ugomvi humalizika.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, na kama kuni kwenye moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuchochea ugomvi.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Kama rangi ingʼaayo iliyopakwa kwenye vyombo vya udongo ndivyo ilivyo midomo laini pamoja na moyo mbaya.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Ingawa maneno yake huvutia, usimwamini, kwa maana machukizo saba hujaza moyo wake.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Nia yake ya kudhuru wengine inaweza kufichwa na udanganyifu, lakini uovu wake utafichuliwa kwenye kusanyiko.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo, huwachukia wale unaowaumiza, nacho kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
