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