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 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 wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of 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 YHWH trieth the hearts.
4 Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
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 fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
An evil man seeketh 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 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 strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
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 just, even they both are abomination to YHWH.
16 Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
17 Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
A 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 man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
19 Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
He loveth transgression that loveth 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.
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
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 fool hath no joy.
22 Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth 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 ways 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 bare him.
26 Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
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 an excellent 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 counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
