Mithali 17
1 Ni bora kuwa na utulivu pamoja chembe za mkate kuliko nyumba yenye sherehe nyingi pamoja na ugomvi.
A dry morsel with gladness is better than a house full of sacrifices along with conflict.
2 Mtumishi mwenye busara atatawala juu ya mwana atendaye kwa aibu na atashiriki urithi kama mmoja wa ndugu.
A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and he will divide the inheritance among brothers.
3 Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
Just as silver is tested by fire, and gold is tested in the furnace, so also does the Lord test hearts.
4 Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
The evil obey an unjust tongue. And the false are submissive to lying lips.
5 Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
Whoever despises the poor rebukes his Maker. And whoever rejoices in the ruin of another will not go unpunished.
6 Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
Sons of sons are the crown of old age. And the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.
8 Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
The expectation of those who stand ready is a most pleasing jewel. Whichever way he turns himself, he understands prudently.
9 Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.
10 Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
A correction benefits more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
The evil one continually seeks conflicts. But a cruel Angel shall be sent against him.
12 Ni bora kukutana na dubu aliyeporwa watoto wake kuliko kukutana na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
It is more expedient to meet a bear robbed of her young, than the foolish trusting in his own folly.
13 Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
Whoever repays evil for good, evil shall not withdraw from his house.
14 Mwanzo wa mafarakano ni kama mtu anayefungulia maji kila mahali, hivyo ondoka kwenye mabishano kabla ya kutokea.
Whoever releases the water is the head of the conflict. And just before he suffers contempt, he abandons judgment.
15 Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
Those who justify the impious, and those who condemn the just, both are abominable with God.
16 Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
What does it profit the foolish to have riches, when he is not able to buy wisdom? Whoever makes his house high seeks ruin. And whoever shuns learning shall fall into evils.
17 Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
18 Mtu asiyekuwa na akili hufanya ahadi zenye mashariti na kuanza kuwajibika kwa madeni ya jirani yake.
A foolish man will clap his hands, when he makes a pledge for his friend.
19 Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
Whoever dwells on discord loves disputes. And whoever exalts his door seeks ruin.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
Whoever is of a perverse heart shall not find good. And whoever turns his tongue shall fall into evil.
21 Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
A foolish one is born into his own disgrace. But his father will not rejoice in one who is senseless.
22 Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A joyful soul makes a lifetime flourish. A gloomy spirit dries out the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
The impious receives gifts from the bosom, so that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
Prudence shines from the face of the wise. The eyes of the foolish are on the ends of the earth.
25 Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa mwanamke aliyemzaa.
A foolish son is the anger of the father and the grief of the mother who conceived him.
26 Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
It is not good to inflict damage on the just, nor to strike the leader who judges uprightly.
27 Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
Whoever moderates his words is learned and prudent. And a man of learning has a precious spirit.
28 Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
If he would remain silent, even the foolish would be considered wise, and if he closes his lips, intelligent.
