Mithali 18
1 Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
He that separateth himself [from God] seeketh his own desires: at every sound wisdom is he enraged.
2 Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but in laying open what is in his heart.
3 Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with dishonorable acts, disgrace.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
Like deep waters are the words of a [wise] man's mouth, and a bubbling brook is the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
It is not good to favor the person of the wicked, to wrest [the cause of the] righteous in judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
The lips of the fool come with contention, and his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
The mouth of the fool is a destruction to himself, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down indeed into the innermost parts of the body.
9 Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
He also that showeth himself slothful in his work is a brother to the destroyer.
10 Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower, whereunto the righteous runneth, and is placed in safety.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
The rich man's wealth is his strong town, and as a towering wall in his own conceit.
12 Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
Before downfall the heart of man becometh haughty, and before honor goeth humility.
13 Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
When one returneth an answer before he understandeth [the question], it is folly unto him and shame.
14 Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
The spirit of a man will readily bear his disease; but a depressed spirit who can bear:
15 Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
The heart of the man of understanding will obtain knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
17 Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
He that is first in his cause seemeth just; but when his neighbor cometh, then will it be investigated.
18 Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
The lot causeth disputes to cease, and it decideth between the mighty.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
A brother offended is harder [to be won] than a strong town; and quarrels [among brothers] are like the bars of a castle.
20 Tumbo la mtu litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
From the fruit of a man's mouth is his body satisfied; with the product of his lips doth he satisfy himself.
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 they that love it will eat its fruit.
22 Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
Whoso hath found a wife hath found happiness, and hath obtained favor from the Lord.
23 Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor speaketh entreatingly; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man's many companions are hurtful to him; but there is many a friend that cleaveth closer than a brother.
