Mithali 17
1 Ni bora kuwa na utulivu pamoja chembe za mkate kuliko nyumba yenye sherehe nyingi pamoja na ugomvi.
Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 Mtumishi mwenye busara atatawala juu ya mwana atendaye kwa aibu na atashiriki urithi kama mmoja wa ndugu.
A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.
3 Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
4 Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue.
5 Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished.
6 Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers.
7 Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.
8 Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth.
9 Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince.
10 Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole.
11 Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Ni bora kukutana na dubu aliyeporwa watoto wake kuliko kukutana na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.
13 Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
He that rewardeth euil for good, euil 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 as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.
15 Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.
16 Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?
17 Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.
18 Mtu asiyekuwa na akili hufanya ahadi zenye mashariti na kuanza kuwajibika kwa madeni ya jirani yake.
A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.
19 Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
20 Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.
21 Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy.
22 Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones.
23 Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement.
24 Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world.
25 Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa mwanamke aliyemzaa.
A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him.
26 Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie.
27 Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit.
28 Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.
