Mithali 18
1 Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
He who separateth himself seeketh his own desire; Against all sound discretion he rusheth on.
2 Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
The fool hath no delight in understanding, But rather in revealing his own mind.
3 Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt; And with baseness, 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 deep waters, And the wellspring of wisdom is an overflowing brook.
5 Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
It is not good to be partial to the wicked, So as to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth calleth for blows.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare for his life.
8 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
The words of a talebearer are like sweet morsels; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
9 Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
Moreover, he that is slothful in his work Is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runneth to it, and is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall, in his own conceit.
12 Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.
13 Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
He who answereth a matter before he hath heard it, It is folly and shame to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
The heart of the intelligent will acquire knowledge, And the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.
16 Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
A gift maketh room for a man, And bringeth him into the presence of the great.
17 Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
He that first pleadeth his cause appeareth just; But his opponent cometh, and searcheth him through.
18 Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth asunder 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 city; Yea, their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
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 shall his stomach be filled; He shall be filled with the produce of his lips.
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; They that love it shall eat its fruit.
22 Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
He that findeth a wife findeth a blessing, And obtaineth favor from the LORD.
23 Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24 Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many friends will show himself false; Yet there is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.
