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 proper 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 bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless 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 donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.
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 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 that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh violence.
7 Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 goeth up 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.
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to 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; a lion is in the streets.
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 in his bosom; 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 that can render a reason.
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 belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
As a mad man 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, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife 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 talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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 a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
He that hateth disguiseth 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 kindly, 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.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.
27 Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo, huwachukia wale unaowaumiza, nacho kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
