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 honor is not becoming 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 sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
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 the fool.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama wewe mwenyewe utakuwa kama yeye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 conceit.
6 Kama vile ilivyo kujikata miguu au kunywa hasara, ndivyo ilivyo kutuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
As he who bindeth a stone 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 lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Kama mpiga upinde ambaye hujeruhi ovyo, ndivyo alivyo yeye aajiriye mpumbavu au yeyote apitaye njiani.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool 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 conceit? There is 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; There is a lion in 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 sluggard upon his bed.
15 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, naye huchoka kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again 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 who can render a reason.
17 Kama yeye amkamataye mbwa kwa masikio, ndivyo alivyo mtu apitaye njiani na kujiingiza kwenye ugomvi usiomhusu.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 ndivyo alivyo mtu amdanganyaye jirani yake na kusema, “Nilikuwa nikifanya mzaha tu!”
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Bila kuni moto huzimika; pasipo uchongezi ugomvi humalizika.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, na kama kuni kwenye moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuchochea ugomvi.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Kama rangi ingʼaayo iliyopakwa kwenye vyombo vya udongo ndivyo ilivyo midomo laini pamoja na moyo mbaya.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
He that 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 whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
