Mithali 26
1 Kama theluji wakati wa joto au mvua kwenye mavuno, ndivyo mpumbavu asivyostahili heshima.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 Kama shorowanda hurukaruka na kumeza wadudu wakati wa kuruka, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyostahili haishuki.
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 Mjeledi ni kwa ajili ya farasi, hatamu kwa ajili ya punda na fimbo ni kwa ajili mgongo wa wapumbavu.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu na kujiunga katika upumbavu wake, au utakuwa kama yeye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Mjibu mpumbavu na jiunge katika upumbavu wake, ili asiweze kuwa na busara katika macho yake mwenyewe.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 Anayetuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu huikata miguu yake mwenyewe na kunywa vurugu.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Miguu ya kiwete inayoning'ia chini ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 Kujaribisha jiwe kwenye kombeo ni sawa na kumpa heshima mpumbavu.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Mwiba unaochoma kwenye mkono wa mlevi ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Mpiga mishale anayejeruhi kila mtu ni kama mtu anayemwajiri mpumbavu au kila mtu anayepita karibu yake.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 Kama mbwa anavyorudia matapishi yake, ndivyo alivyo mpumbavu anayerudia upuuzi wake.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Je unamwona mtu mwenye busara katika macho yake mwenyewe? Mpumbavu anamatumaini zaidi kuliko yeye.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 Mtu mvivu husema “Kuna simba kwenye barabara! Kuna simba katikati ya njia kuu!”
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 Kama mlango unavyogeuka kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo alivyo mtu mvivu kwenye kitanda chake.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake kwenye sufuria na bado hana nguvu kuunyanyua kwenda kwenye kinywa chake.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima kwenye macho yake mwenyewe kuliko watu saba wenye ufahamu.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 Kama mtu anayeshikilia masikio ya mbwa, ndivyo alivyo mpitajia anayepata hasira kwenye ugomvi ambao si wake.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu anayetupa mishale,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 ndivyo alivyo ambaye humdanganya jirani yake na kusema, “Je sikuwa naongea utani?”
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Kwa kukosa kuni, moto huzimika; na pale pasipo na mmbea ugomvi hukoma.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 Mkaa ni kwa kuwasha makaa na kuni kwa ajili ya moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuwasha ugomvi.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu; nazo zinashuka chini kwenye sehemu za ndani ya mwili.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Kioo kinachofunika chombo cha udongo ni kama midomo inayoungua na moyo mbaya.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 Yule ambaye huwachukia wengine huficha hisia zake kwa midomo na hufunika uongo ndani yake mwenyewe.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Ataongea kwa huruma, lakini usimwamini, maana kuna machukizo saba kwenye moyo wake.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Ingawa chuki zake zimefunikwa kwa udanganyifu, uovu wake utakuwa wazi katika kusanyiko.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Anayechimba shimo atatumbukia ndani yake na jiwe litamsaga yule anayelisukuma.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo huchukia watu unaowajeruhi na kinywa cha uongo husogeza karibu uharibifu.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
