Mithali 26
1 Kama theluji wakati wa kiangazi au mvua wakati wa mavuno, ndivyo asivyostahili heshima mpumbavu.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
3 Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, nayo fimbo kwa migongo ya wapumbavu!
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the 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 also be like unto him.
5 Mjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama atakuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Kama vile ilivyo kujikata miguu au kunywa hasara, ndivyo ilivyo kutuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Kama mwiba kwenye mkono wa mlevi ndivyo ilivyo mithali kinywani mwa mpumbavu.
As a thorn that cometh into 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.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
11 Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Je, unamwona mtu ajionaye mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Liko tumaini zaidi kwa mpumbavu kuliko kwake.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba barabarani, simba mkali anazunguka mitaa!”
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo mvivu ajigeuzavyo kitandani mwake.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, naye huchoka kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 Kama yeye amkamataye mbwa kwa masikio, ndivyo alivyo mtu apitaye njiani na kujiingiza kwenye ugomvi usiomhusu.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 ndivyo alivyo mtu amdanganyaye jirani yake na kusema, “Nilikuwa nikifanya mzaha tu!”
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Bila kuni moto huzimika; pasipo uchongezi ugomvi humalizika.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 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 body.
23 Kama rangi ingʼaayo iliyopakwa kwenye vyombo vya udongo ndivyo ilivyo midomo laini pamoja na moyo mbaya.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
25 Ingawa maneno yake huvutia, usimwamini, kwa maana machukizo saba hujaza moyo wake.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Nia yake ya kudhuru wengine inaweza kufichwa na udanganyifu, lakini uovu wake utafichuliwa kwenye kusanyiko.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo, huwachukia wale unaowaumiza, nacho kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
