Proverbs 14

1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

1 Mwanamke mwenye hekima huijenga nyumba yake, bali mpumbavu huibomoa nyumba yake kwa mikono yake mwenyewe.

2 He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

2 Yeye ambaye njia zake ni nyofu humcha Bwana, bali yeye ambaye njia zake zimepotoka humdharau Mungu.

3 The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

3 Mazungumzo ya mpumbavu huleta fimbo mgongoni mwake, bali mwenye hekima hulindwa na maneno ya midomo yake.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

4 Pale ambapo hakuna mafahali, hori ni tupu, bali kutokana na nguvu za fahali huja mavuno mengi.

5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

5 Shahidi mwaminifu hadanganyi, bali shahidi wa uongo humimina uongo.

6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

6 Mwenye mzaha huitafuta hekima na haipati, bali maarifa huja kwa urahisi kwa anayepambanua.

7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

7 Kaa mbali na mtu mpumbavu, kwa maana hutapata maarifa katika midomo yake.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

8 Hekima ya mwenye busara ni kufikiria njia zake, bali upumbavu wa wapumbavu ni udanganyifu.

9 Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.

9 Wapumbavu hudhihaki kujirekebisha kutoka dhambi, bali wema hupatikana miongoni mwa wanyofu.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

10 Kila moyo hujua uchungu wake wenyewe, wala hakuna yeyote awezaye kushiriki furaha yake.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

11 Nyumba ya mwovu itaangamizwa, bali hema la mnyofu litastawi.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

12 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

13 Hata katika kicheko moyo waweza kuuma, nayo furaha yaweza kuishia katika majonzi.

14 The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

14 Wasio na imani watapatilizwa kikamilifu kwa ajili ya njia zao, naye mtu mwema atapewa thawabu kwa ajili ya njia yake.

15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

15 Mtu mjinga huamini kila kitu, bali mwenye busara hufikiria hatua zake.

16 A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

16 Mtu mwenye hekima humcha Bwana na kuepuka mabaya, bali mpumbavu hukasirika kwa hamaki na uzembe.

17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

17 Mtu anayekasirika kwa haraka hufanya mambo ya upumbavu, naye mtu wa hila huchukiwa.

18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

18 Mjinga hurithi upumbavu, bali wenye busara huvikwa maarifa kichwani kama taji.

19 The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

19 Watu wabaya watasujudu mbele ya watu wema, nao waovu kwenye malango ya wenye haki.

20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich.

20 Maskini huepukwa hata na majirani zao, bali matajiri wana marafiki wengi.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

21 Yeye anayemdharau jirani yake hutenda dhambi, bali amebarikiwa yeye aliye na huruma kwa mhitaji.

22 Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

22 Je, wale wanaopanga ubaya hawapotoki? Bali wale wanaopanga kilicho chema hupata upendo na uaminifu.

23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

23 Kazi zote zinazofanywa kwa bidii huleta faida, bali mazungumzo matupu huelekea umaskini tu.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the effort of fools is folly.

24 Utajiri wa wenye hekima ni taji yao, bali upumbavu wa wapumbavu huzaa upumbavu.

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.

25 Shahidi wa kweli huokoa maisha, bali shahidi wa uongo ni mdanganyifu.

26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.

26 Yeye amchaye Bwana ana ngome salama, na kwa watoto wake itakuwa kimbilio.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

27 Kumcha Bwana ni chemchemi ya uzima, ili kumwepusha mtu na mitego ya mauti.

28 A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.

28 Wingi wa watu ni utukufu wa mfalme, bali pasipo watu mkuu huangamia.

29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

29 Mtu mwenye subira ana ufahamu mwingi, bali anayekasirika haraka huonyesha upumbavu.

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

30 Moyo wenye amani huupa mwili uzima, bali wivu huozesha mifupa.

31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

31 Yeye amwoneaye maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wao, bali yeyote anayemhurumia mhitaji humheshimu Mungu.

32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.

32 Waovu huangamizwa kwa matendo yao maovu, bali hata katika kifo wenye haki hupata kimbilio.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.

33 Hekima hukaa katika moyo wa mwenye ufahamu bali haijulikani miongoni mwa wapumbavu.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

34 Haki huinua taifa, bali dhambi ni aibu kwa watu wote.

35 A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.

35 Mfalme hupendezwa na mtumishi mwenye hekima, bali ghadhabu yake humwangukia mtumishi mwenye kuaibisha.