1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honour is not seemly for a fool.
Kama theluji wakati wa joto, na mvua wakati wa mavuno; Kadhalika heshima haimpasi mpumbavu.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying,
So the curse causeless shall not come.
Kama shomoro katika kutanga-tanga kwake, Na kama mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake; Kadhalika laana isiyo na sababu haimpigi mtu.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the fool's back.
Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, Na fimbo kwa mgongo wa mpumbavu.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Lest thou also be like unto him.
Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Usije ukafanana naye.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Umjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Asije akawa mwenye hekima machoni pake.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Apelekaye ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu Hujikata miguu, na kunywa hasara.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal:
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Miguu yake achechemeaye huwa dhaifu; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling,
So is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Kama mfuko wa vito katika chungu ya mawe; Kadhalika mtu amheshimuye mpumbavu.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Kama mwiba uingiao katika mkono wa mlevi; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
10 The great God that formed all things
Both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Fundi stadi hufanyiza vitu vyote; Bali amwajiriye mpumbavu ni kama awaajiriye watu wapitao.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit,
So a fool returneth to his folly.
Kama vile mbwa arudiavyo matapiko yake; Kadhalika mpumbavu afanya upumbavu tena.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Je! Wamwona mtu mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Afadhali kumtumaini mpumbavu kuliko yeye.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets.
Mtu mvivu husema, Simba yuko njiani, Simba yuko katika njia kuu.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges,
So doth the slothful upon his bed.
Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo katika bawaba zake; Kadhalika mtu mvivu katika kitanda chake.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom;
It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake sahanini; Kwamchosha kuupeleka tena kinywani pake.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
Than seven men that can render a reason.
Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake, Kuliko watu saba wawezao kutoa sababu.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Mtu apitaye na kujisumbua kwa ugomvi usio wake; Ni kama mtu ashikaye mbwa kwa masikio yake.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death,
Kama mtu mwenye wazimu atupaye mienge, Na mishale, na mauti;
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,
And saith, Am not I in sport?
Ndivyo alivyo amdanganyaye mwenzake, Na kusema, Je! Sikufanya mzaha tu?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:
So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Moto hufa kwa kukosa kuni; Na bila mchongezi fitina hukoma.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire;
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, Na kama kuni juu ya moto; Ndivyo mtu mgomvi achocheavyo uadui.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama vitoweo. Nayo hushukia pande za ndani za tumbo.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart
Are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Midomo ijipendekezayo pamoja na moyo mbaya Ni kama kigae kilichofunikizwa taka za fedha.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips,
And layeth up deceit within him;
Achukiaye huficha chuki kwa midomo yake; Naye huweka akiba ya hila moyoni mwake.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not:
For there are seven abominations in his heart.
Anenapo maneno mazuri usimsadiki; Kwa maana ana machukizo saba moyoni mwake.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Ingawa chuki hufunikizwa kwa hila; Uovu wake utadhihirika mbele ya kusanyiko.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Achimbaye shimo atatumbukia mwenyewe; Naye abingirishaye jiwe litamrudia.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Ulimi unenao uongo huwachukia wale uliowajeruhi; Na kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
