Mithali 17
1 Ni bora kuwa na utulivu pamoja chembe za mkate kuliko nyumba yenye sherehe nyingi pamoja na ugomvi.
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 Mtumishi mwenye busara atatawala juu ya mwana atendaye kwa aibu na atashiriki urithi kama mmoja wa ndugu.
A servant who deals wisely shall have rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3 Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Jehovah tries the hearts.
4 Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
An evildoer gives heed to wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6 Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
Son's sons are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons are their fathers.
7 Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
8 Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who has it; wherever it turns, it prospers.
9 Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates chief friends.
10 Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
A rebuke enters deeper into him who has understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Ni bora kukutana na dubu aliyeporwa watoto wake kuliko kukutana na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 Mwanzo wa mafarakano ni kama mtu anayefungulia maji kila mahali, hivyo ondoka kwenye mabishano kabla ya kutokea.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15 Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16 Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
17 Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 Mtu asiyekuwa na akili hufanya ahadi zenye mashariti na kuanza kuwajibika kwa madeni ya jirani yake.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
He who has a wayward heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
21 Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
He who begets a fool it is to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
A wicked man receives a bribe out of the bosom, to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa mwanamke aliyemzaa.
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
Also to punish a righteous man is not good, nor to smite nobles for uprightness.
27 Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
He who spares his words has knowledge, and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.
