Proverbs 18
1 A man seeketh, for satisfaction, going his own way, through all safe counsel, he breaketh.
Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
2 A dullard, delighteth not, in understanding, in nothing save the exposing of his own heart.
Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
3 When the lawless man cometh in, then cometh also contempt, and, with shame, reproach.
Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
4 Deep waters, are the words of a man’s mouth, —a bubbling brook, the well-spring of wisdom.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
5 To prefer a lawless man, is not good, thrusting away the righteous, in judgment.
Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
6 the lips of a dullard, enter into contention, and his mouth, for blows, crieth out.
Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
7 The mouth of a dullard, is his ruin, and, his lips, are a snare to his soul.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
8 the words of a tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
9 Surely he that is slothful in his work, brother, is he to a master at laying waste.
Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
10 A tower of strength, is the Name of Yahweh, thereinto, runneth the righteous, and is safe.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
11 The substance of a rich man, is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his imagination.
Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
12 Before grievous injury, a man’s heart is haughty, and, before honour, is humility.
Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
13 He that answereth before he heareth, a folly, it is to him, and, a reproach.
Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
14 The spirit of a man, sustaineth his sickness, but, a dejected spirit, who can bear it?
Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
15 the heart of the intelligent, acquireth knowledge, yea, the ear of the wise, seeketh knowledge.
Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
16 The gift of a man, maketh room for him, and, before great men, setteth him down.
Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
17 Righteous is he that is first in his own cause, then cometh his neighbour, and thoroughly searcheth him.
Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
18 The lot causeth, contentions, to cease, and, the mighty, it parteth.
Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
19 A brother estranged, [is worse] than a strong city, —and, contentions, are as the bar of a citadel.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
20 Of the fruit of a man’s mouth, shall his inmost mind be satisfied, with the product of his lips, shall he be satisfied.
Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
21 Death and life, are in the power of the tongue, and, its friends, shall eat its fruits.
Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
22 Who hath found a wife, hath found a blessing, and hath obtained favour from Yahweh.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
23 Supplications, doth the poor man utter, but, the rich, answereth fiercely.
Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 A man having [many] friends, shall come to ruin, but there is a loving one, who sticketh closer than a brother.
Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
