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 honour is not proper for a fool.
2 Kama shorowanda hurukaruka na kumeza wadudu wakati wa kuruka, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyostahili haishuki.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless 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 donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Usimjibu mpumbavu na kujiunga katika upumbavu wake, au utakuwa kama yeye.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be 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 be wise in his own conceit.
6 Anayetuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu huikata miguu yake mwenyewe na kunywa vurugu.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh violence.
7 Miguu ya kiwete inayoning'ia chini ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Kujaribisha jiwe kwenye kombeo ni sawa na kumpa heshima mpumbavu.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Mwiba unaochoma kwenye mkono wa mlevi ni kama mithali kwenye kinywa cha wapumbavu.
As a thorn goeth up into 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.
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 Kama mbwa anavyorudia matapishi yake, ndivyo alivyo mpumbavu anayerudia upuuzi wake.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to 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; a lion is in the streets.
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 in his bosom; 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 that can render a reason.
17 Kama mtu anayeshikilia masikio ya mbwa, ndivyo alivyo mpitajia anayepata hasira kwenye ugomvi ambao si wake.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Kama mtu mwendawazimu anayetupa mishale,
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 ndivyo alivyo ambaye humdanganya jirani yake na kusema, “Je sikuwa naongea utani?”
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Kwa kukosa kuni, moto huzimika; na pale pasipo na mmbea ugomvi hukoma.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Kioo kinachofunika chombo cha udongo ni kama midomo inayoungua na moyo mbaya.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 Yule ambaye huwachukia wengine huficha hisia zake kwa midomo na hufunika uongo ndani yake mwenyewe.
He that hateth disguiseth 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 kindly, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Ingawa chuki zake zimefunikwa kwa udanganyifu, uovu wake utakuwa wazi katika kusanyiko.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.
27 Anayechimba shimo atatumbukia ndani yake na jiwe litamsaga yule anayelisukuma.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 Ulimi wa uongo huchukia watu unaowajeruhi na kinywa cha uongo husogeza karibu uharibifu.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
