Proverbs 17
1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Ni bora kuwa na utulivu pamoja chembe za mkate kuliko nyumba yenye sherehe nyingi pamoja na ugomvi.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
Mtumishi mwenye busara atatawala juu ya mwana atendaye kwa aibu na atashiriki urithi kama mmoja wa ndugu.
3 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuu ni kwa dhahabu, bali Yehova huisafisha mioyo.
4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Mtu atendaye mabaya huwasikiliza wale wanaosema maovu; muongo anausikivu kwa wale wanaosema mambo mabaya.
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Mwenye kumdhihaki masikini humtukana Muumba wake na anayefurahia msiba hatakosa adhabu.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children is their parents.
Wajukuu ni taji ya wazee na wazazi huleta heshima kwa watoto wao.
7 Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Hotuba ya ushawishi haifai kwa mpumbavu; kidogo zaidi midomo ya uongo inafaa kwa ufalme.
8 A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Rushwa ni kama jiwe la kiini macho kwa yule ambaye atoaye; yeye anayeiacha, hufanikiwa.
9 He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Anayesamehe kosa hutafuta upendo, bali yeye anayerudia jambo huwatenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
10 A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred lashes into a fool.
Karipio hupenya ndani ya mtu mwenye ufahamu kuliko mapigo mamia kwenda kwa mpumbavu.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Mtu mbaya hutafuta uasi tu, hivyo mjumbe katiri atatumwa dhidi yake.
12 Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
Ni bora kukutana na dubu aliyeporwa watoto wake kuliko kukutana na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Mtu anaporudisha mabaya badala ya mema, mabaya hayatatoka katika nyumba yake.
14 The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Mwanzo wa mafarakano ni kama mtu anayefungulia maji kila mahali, hivyo ondoka kwenye mabishano kabla ya kutokea.
15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
Yeye ambaye huwaachilia watu waovu au kuwalaumu wale wanaotenda haki - watu hawa wote ni chukizo kwa Yehova.
16 Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
Kwa nini mpumbavu alipe fedha kwa kujifunza hekima, wakati hana uwezo wa kujifunza?
17 A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.
Rafiki hupenda kwa nyakati zote na ndugu amezaliwa kwa ajili ya nyakati za taabu.
18 A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
Mtu asiyekuwa na akili hufanya ahadi zenye mashariti na kuanza kuwajibika kwa madeni ya jirani yake.
19 He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Apendaye mafarakano anapenda dhambi; ambaye hutengeneza kizingiti kirefu sana kwenye mlango wake husababisha kuvunjia kwa mifupa.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
Mtu mwenye moyo wa udanganyifu hapati chochote ambacho ni chema; na mwenye ulimi wa ukaidi huanguka kwenye janga.
21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Mzazi wa mpumbavu huleta majonzi kwake mwenyewe; baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Moyo mchangamfu ni dawa njema, bali roho iliyopondeka hukausha mifupa.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
Mtu mwovu hukubali rushwa ya siri ili kupotosha njia za haki.
24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Mwenye ufahamu huelekeza uso wake kwenye hekima, bali macho ya mpumbavu huelekea ncha za dunia.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.
Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa baba yake na uchungu kwa mwanamke aliyemzaa.
26 Also to punish the righteous is not good, nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Pia, si vizuri kumwadhibu mwenye kutenda haki; wala si vema kuwachapa mjeledi watu waadilifu wenye ukamilifu.
27 He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Mwenye maarifa hutumia maneno machache na mwenye ufahamu ni mtulivu.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Hata mpumbavu hudhaniwa kuwa na busara kama akikaa kimya; wakati anapokaa amefunga kinywa chake, anafikiriwa kuwa na akili.
