Mithali 18
1 Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Tumbo la mtu litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
