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 therewith, 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 wise servant shall rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3 Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4 Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
The evil-doer giveth heed to iniquitous lips; the liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
Whoso mocketh a poor [man] reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.
6 Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!
8 Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
9 Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.
10 Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil [man] seeketh only rebellion; but 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 bear robbed of her whelps meet a man rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
Whoso rewardeth 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 contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
15 Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
16 Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he] hath no sense?
17 Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
The friend loveth 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 senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
19 Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
He that hath a perverse heart findeth no good; and he that shifteth about with his tongue falleth into evil.
21 Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow, and the father of a vile [man] hath no joy.
22 Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A joyful heart promoteth healing; but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
A wicked [man] taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
24 Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
Wisdom is before him that hath 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 that bore him.
26 Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
To punish a righteous [man] is not good, nor to strike nobles because of [their] uprightness.
27 Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
He that hath knowledge spareth his words; and a man of understanding is of a cool spirit.
28 Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
