Ecclesiastes 10
1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Kama nzi walio kufa husababisha manukato kutoa harufu ya uozo, hivyo hivyo upumbavu kidogo hushinda hekima na heshima.
2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.
Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huelekea kulia, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
Wakati mpumbavu anapotembea barabarani, fikira zake zina upungufu, ikithibitisha kwa kila mtu kwamba ni mpumbavu.
4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
Kama jaziba za mtawala zikiinuka kinyume na wewe, usiache kazi yako. Utulivu unaweza kutuliza ukatili mkubwa.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun— an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Kuna uovu niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa ambalo huja kutoka kwa mtawala:
6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.
Wapumbavu wanapewa nafasi za uongozi, wakati watu walio faulu wanapewa nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
Nimewaona watumwa wakipanda farasi, na watu walio faulu wakitembea kama watumwa juu ya ardhi.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Yeyote anayechimba shimo anaweza kutumbukia yake, na popote mtu anayevunja ukuja, nyoka anaweza kumuuma.
9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.
Yeyote achongaye mwawe, anaweza kuumizwa nayo. Na mtu achongaye mbao, anaweza kujihatarisha kwa hiyo.
10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.
Kama chuma bapa kisicho na makali, na mtu hainoi, kisha ni lazima atumie nguvu nyingi, lakini hekima hutoa faida kwa ufaulu.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla hajafurahi, hivyo hakuna faida kwa mfurahishaji.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu mwenye hekima yana huruma. Lakini midomo ya mpumbavu humumeza mwenyewe.
13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Kama maneno yanavyo anza kutiririka mdomoni mwa mpumbavu, ujinga hutoka, na mwisho mdomo wake hutiririka wazimu mbaya.
14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?
Mpumbavu huongeza maneno, lakini hakuna ajuaye kinachokuja. Ni nani ajuaye baada yake?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
Jasho la wapumbavu huwavaa wao, hivyo hawajui hata barabara ya kwenda mjini.
16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.
Ole wako ardhi kama mfalme wako ni kijana mdogo, na kama viongozi wako huanza karamu ahsubuhi!
17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness.
Lakini umebarikiwa ardhi kama mfalme wako ni mwana wa waungwana, na kama vingozi wako hula wakati muafaka, kwa nguvu, na sio kwa ulevi.
18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
Kwa sababu ya uvivu paa huanguka. Na kwa sababu isiyo fanya kazi nyumba hupata ufa.
19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
Watu huandaa chakula kwa kicheko, divai huleta furaha maishani, na fedha hutimiza hitaji kwa kila kitu.
20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.
Usimlaani mfalme, hata katika akili, na usiwalaani wenye mali katika chumba chako cha kulala. Kwa kuwa ndege wa angani inaweza kuchukua maneno yako. Chochote kilicho na mabawa kinaweza kusambaza jambo.
