Mithali 18
1 Yule ambaye hujitenga hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe na hupingana na hukumu zote za kweli.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
2 Mpumbavu hapati raha katika ufahamu, lakini hufunua kile kilichopo katika moyo wake.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion.
3 Mtu mwovu anapokuja, dharau huja pamoja naye- sambamba na aibu na shutuma.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni maji yenye kina kirefu; chemchemi ya hekima ni mkondo unaotiririka.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5 Si vema kuwa na upendeleo kwa mwovu, wala haifai kukana haki kwa wale watendao mema.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu huletea mafarakano na kinywa chake hukaribisha mapigo.
A fool's lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na hujinasa mwenye kwa midomo yake.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Maneno ya mmbea ni kama chembe tamu na hushuka katika sehema za ndani sana kwenye mwili.
The words of a gossip are like tasty morsels, and they go down into a person's innermost parts.
9 Basi, ambaye ni mzembe katika kazi yake ni ndugu yake anayeharibu wengi.
One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10 Jina la Yehova ni mnara imara; atendaye haki hukimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake imara na katika fikira zake ni kama ukuta mrefu.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12 Moyo wa mtu huwa na kiburi kabla ya anguko lake, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia kabla ya heshima.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
13 Anayejibu kabla ya kusikiliza- ni upuuzi na aibu yake.
He who gives answer before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itajinusuru na madhara, bali roho iliyopondeka nani anaweza kuivumilia?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15 Moyo wa mwenye akili hujipatia maarifa na usikivu wa mwenye busara huitafuta.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 Zawadi ya mtu inaweza kufungua njia na kumleta mbele ya mtu muhimu.
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
17 Wa kwanza kujitetea katika shitaka lake huonekana kuwa na haki hadi mpinzani wake aje na kumuuliza maswali.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him.
18 Kupiga kura kunamaliza mabishano na kuwatawanya wapinzani imara.
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kushawishiwa kuliko mji wenye nguvu, na kugombana ni kama makomeo ya ngome.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20 Tumbo la mtu litashiba kutoka kwenye tunda la kinywa chake; atatoshelezwa kwa mavuno ya midomo yake.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Uzima na kifo hutawaliwa kwa ulimi, na wale wenye kuupenda ulimi watakula tunda lake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 Yeye apataye mke anapata kitu chema na kupokea fadhila kutoka kwa Yehova.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Jehovah.
23 Mtu masikini huomba rehema, lakini mtu tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
24 Anayejidai kwa marafiki wengi watamleta katika uharibifu, bali yupo rafiki ambaye huwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
