Mithali 26
1 Kama theluji wakati wa kiangazi au mvua wakati wa mavuno, ndivyo asivyostahili heshima mpumbavu.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 Kama shomoro apigapigavyo mabawa yake au mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake kasi, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyo na sababu haimpati mtu.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, nayo fimbo kwa migongo ya wapumbavu!
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama wewe mwenyewe utakuwa kama yeye.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal 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 choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Kama mwiba kwenye mkono wa mlevi ndivyo ilivyo mithali kinywani mwa mpumbavu.
[As] a thorn that is come 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 injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Je, unamwona mtu ajionaye mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Liko tumaini zaidi kwa mpumbavu kuliko kwake.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba barabarani, simba mkali anazunguka mitaa!”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo mvivu ajigeuzavyo kitandani mwake.
As a 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.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, kuliko watu saba wawezao kujibu kwa busara.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Kama yeye amkamataye mbwa kwa masikio, ndivyo alivyo mtu apitaye njiani na kujiingiza kwenye ugomvi usiomhusu.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 ndivyo alivyo mtu amdanganyaye jirani yake na kusema, “Nilikuwa nikifanya mzaha tu!”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 Bila kuni moto huzimika; pasipo uchongezi ugomvi humalizika.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, na kama kuni kwenye moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuchochea ugomvi.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Kama rangi ingʼaayo iliyopakwa kwenye vyombo vya udongo ndivyo ilivyo midomo laini pamoja na moyo mbaya.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Ingawa maneno yake huvutia, usimwamini, kwa maana machukizo saba hujaza moyo wake.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, 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.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
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 prepareth [others'] downfall.
