Mithali 18
1 Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
2 Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
3 Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
5 Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
8 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
9 Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
10 Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
12 Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
13 Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
14 Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
15 Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
16 Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
17 Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
18 Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
20 Tumbo la mtu litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
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, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
22 Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
23 Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
24 Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
