Ngeche 25
1 Magi e ngeche mamoko mag Solomon, mane jo-Hezekia ruodh Juda ondiko.
Also these are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah have collected.
2 Wamiyo Nyasaye duongʼ kuom gik ma opando; to lero tiend weche en duongʼ ni ruodhi.
It is the honor of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Mana kaka polo bor kendo piny tut, e kaka chuny ruodhi ngʼeyo tek.
As are the heavens for height, and the earth is for depth, so should the heart of kings be unsearchable.
4 Ka ogol chilo kuom fedha, to jatheth koro nigi gimoro mar theth;
Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the melter.
5 ka ogol ngʼat marach e nyim ruoth, eka kom ruodhe ibiro guro motegno e tim makare.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.
6 Kik imiri duongʼ iwuon e nyim ruoth, kata bedo kar jomadongo,
Do not glorify thyself in the presence of the king, and force thyself not into the place of great men;
7 nimar ber moloyo owachni niya, “Bi ka,” moloyo ka igoli e nyim jomadongo.
For better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince, which thy own eyes have [often] seen.
8 Gima wangʼi oseneno kik ikel mapiyo kirikni e nyim od bura; nimar ibiro timo angʼo achien ka jabuti oketi e wichkuot?
Do not proceed to a contest hastily, lest [thou know not] what thou wilt have to do at its end, when thy neighbor hath put thee to confusion.
9 Ka iloso wach manie kindi gi jabuti, to kik idhi ihul wach malingʼ-lingʼ mar ngʼato;
Carry on thy cause with thy neighbor; but lay not open the secret of another:
10 nono to ngʼat moro mowinji biro keti e wichkuot; mi huma mari marach ok nogiki.
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy never be removed.
11 Wach mowach e kinde mowinjore, chalo gi olemo mar dhahabu moketie tawo molos gi fedha.
Like apples of gold among figures of silver is a word spoken in a proper manner.
12 Mana kaka tere mar dhahabu kata tigo mar dhahabu maber e kaka siem mar ngʼat mariek mokwerogo ngʼat machiko ite.
As an earring of gold, and a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise reprover toward an ear that listeneth.
13 Mana kaka ngʼich mar pe e kinde mar keyo, e kaka jaote ma ja-adiera chalo ne ngʼat moore, omoro chuny ruodhe.
As the cooling of snow on a harvest-day, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14 Kaka boche polo gi yamo maonge koth, e kaka ngʼat mawuorore gi mich ma ok dochiw.
Like clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that vaunteth falsely of a gift.
15 Horuok mos nyalo loko chuny ruoth, to lep mamuol nyalo toyo chogo.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh bones.
16 Ka iyudo mor kich, to cham mana moromo, mathoth ahinya, nyalo miyo ingʼogi.
Hast thou found honey: eat so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou consume too much of it, and have to vomit it forth.
17 Kik iter tiendi pile e od jabuti, dhiyo kuno pile, biro miyo ochayi.
Make thy foot scarce in the house of thy friend: lest he have too much of thee, and so hate thee.
18 Mana kaka arungu kata ligangla; kata asere mabith, e kaka ngʼatno machiwo neno ma ok adiera kuom ngʼat ma gidakgo machiegni.
A battle-axe, and a sword, and a sharpened arrow is a man that testifieth as a false witness against his neighbor.
19 Mana kaka lak marach kata tielo mongʼol e kaka keto geno kuom jogo ma ok jo-adiera e kinde mag chandruok.
Like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint, is confidence in a treacherous man in a time of distress.
20 Mana ka ngʼat ma lonyo law midongʼ duk e ndalo ngʼich, kata kaka olo chumbi e adhola, e kaka ngʼat ma wero wende ne chuny mool.
[As] he that taketh off his garment on a cold day, [as] vinegar is upon natron: so is he that singeth songs before an unhappy heart.
21 Ka jasiki odenyo, to miye chiemo ocham; ka riyo oloye, miye pi omodhi.
If thy enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 Ka itimo kamano, ibiro choko chuk mach maliel e wiye, kendo Jehova Nyasaye biro miyi pok.
For though thou gatherest coals of fire upon his head, yet will the Lord repay it unto thee.
23 Kaka yamb nyandwat kelo koth, e kaka lep mafuongʼo wach kelo miero.
The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth secret talking, angry countenances.
24 Ber dak e kona mar wi ot moloyo dak gi dhako maralep.
It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman even in a roomy house.
25 Mana kaka pi mangʼich chalo ne chuny mool, e kaka wach maber moa e piny mabor chalo.
As cold water is to a fainting soul, so are good news from a far-off country.
26 Mana kaka soko motimo chwodho kata aora moduwore chalo e kaka ngʼat makare machiwo thuolo ne jaricho.
Like a turbid spring and a corrupt fountain, is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27 Ok ber chamo mor kich mathoth, kata ok en gima longʼo mondo ngʼato odwar luor monego miye owuon.
To eat too much honey is not good: so is it honor to set a limit to men's honor.
28 Mana kaka dala maduongʼ ma ohingane omukore mogore piny e kaka ngʼatno ma ok nyal ritore owuon.
Like a city that is broken in, and is without walls: so is the man that hath no control over his spirit.
