Mithali 26
1 Kama theluji wakati wa joto au mvua kwenye mavuno, ndivyo mpumbavu asivyostahili heshima.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 Kama shorowanda hurukaruka na kumeza wadudu wakati wa kuruka, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyostahili haishuki.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3 Mjeledi ni kwa ajili ya farasi, hatamu kwa ajili ya punda na fimbo ni kwa ajili mgongo wa wapumbavu.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu na kujiunga katika upumbavu wake, au utakuwa kama yeye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 be wise in his own conceit.
6 Anayetuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu huikata miguu yake mwenyewe na kunywa vurugu.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Miguu ya kiwete inayoning'ia chini ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Kujaribisha jiwe kwenye kombeo ni sawa na kumpa heshima mpumbavu.
As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Mwiba unaochoma kwenye mkono wa mlevi ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Mpiga mishale anayejeruhi kila mtu ni kama mtu anayemwajiri mpumbavu au kila mtu anayepita karibu yake.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 Kama mbwa anavyorudia matapishi yake, ndivyo alivyo mpumbavu anayerudia upuuzi wake.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Je unamwona mtu mwenye busara katika macho yake mwenyewe? Mpumbavu anamatumaini zaidi kuliko yeye.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is 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; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 Kama mlango unavyogeuka kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo alivyo mtu mvivu kwenye kitanda chake.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake kwenye sufuria na bado hana nguvu kuunyanyua kwenda kwenye kinywa chake.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again 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 who can render a reason.
17 Kama mtu anayeshikilia masikio ya mbwa, ndivyo alivyo mpitajia anayepata hasira kwenye ugomvi ambao si wake.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu anayetupa mishale,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 ndivyo alivyo ambaye humdanganya jirani yake na kusema, “Je sikuwa naongea utani?”
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Kwa kukosa kuni, moto huzimika; na pale pasipo na mmbea ugomvi hukoma.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 Mkaa ni kwa kuwasha makaa na kuni kwa ajili ya moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuwasha ugomvi.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu; nazo zinashuka chini kwenye sehemu za ndani ya mwili.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Kioo kinachofunika chombo cha udongo ni kama midomo inayoungua na moyo mbaya.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 Yule ambaye huwachukia wengine huficha hisia zake kwa midomo na hufunika uongo ndani yake mwenyewe.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 Ataongea kwa huruma, lakini usimwamini, maana kuna machukizo saba kwenye moyo wake.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Ingawa chuki zake zimefunikwa kwa udanganyifu, uovu wake utakuwa wazi katika kusanyiko.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Anayechimba shimo atatumbukia ndani yake na jiwe litamsaga yule anayelisukuma.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo huchukia watu unaowajeruhi na kinywa cha uongo husogeza karibu uharibifu.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
