Proverbs 24
1 [My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
Usiwaonee wivu watu waovu, usitamani ushirika nao;
2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
kwa maana mioyo yao hupanga mambo ya jeuri, nayo midomo yao husema juu ya kuleta madhara.
3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa, nayo kwa njia ya ufahamu huimarishwa
4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
kwa njia ya maarifa vyumba vyake hujazwa vitu vya thamani na vya kupendeza.
5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
Mtu mwenye hekima ana uwezo mkubwa, naye mtu mwenye maarifa huongeza nguvu,
6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
kwa kufanya vita unahitaji uongozi na kwa ushindi washauri wengi.
7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
Hekima i juu mno kwa mpumbavu, katika kusanyiko langoni hana lolote la kusema.
8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
Yeye apangaye mabaya atajulikana kama mtu wa hila.
9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
Mipango ya upumbavu ni dhambi, watu huchukizwa na mwenye dhihaka.
10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
Ukikata tamaa wakati wa taabu, jinsi gani nguvu zako ni kidogo!
11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
Okoa wale wanaoongozwa kwenye kifo; wazuie wote wanaojikokota kuelekea machinjoni.
12 But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
Kama mkisema, “Lakini hatukujua lolote kuhusu hili,” je, yule apimaye mioyo halitambui hili? Je, yule awalindaye maisha yenu halijui hili? Je, hatamlipa kila mtu kulingana na aliyotenda?
13 [My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
Ule asali mwanangu, kwa kuwa ni nzuri; asali kutoka kwenye sega ni tamu kwa kuonja.
14 Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.
Ujue pia kwamba hekima ni tamu kwa nafsi yako, kama ukiipata, kuna matumaini kwako ya siku zijazo, nalo tumaini lako halitakatiliwa mbali.
15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
Usivizie kama haramia afanyavyo ili kuyashambulia makao ya mwenye haki, wala usiyavamie makazi yake,
16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
Kwa maana ingawa mtu mwenye haki huanguka mara saba, huinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa chini na maafa.
17 If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
Usitazame kwa kufurahia adui yako aangukapo; wakati ajikwaapo, usiruhusu moyo wako ushangilie.
18 For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
Bwana asije akaona na kuchukia akaiondoa ghadhabu yake mbali naye.
19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
Usikasirike kwa sababu ya watu wabaya wala usiwaonee wivu waovu,
20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
kwa maana mtu mbaya hana tumaini la siku zijazo, nayo taa ya waovu itazimwa.
21 [My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
Mwanangu, mche Bwana na mfalme, wala usijiunge na waasi,
22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
kwa maana hao wawili watatuma maangamizi ya ghafula juu yao, naye ni nani ajuaye maafa wawezayo kuleta?
23 And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.
Hii pia ni misemo ya wenye hekima: Kuonyesha upendeleo katika hukumu si vyema:
24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.
Yeyote amwambiaye mwenye hatia, “Wewe huna hatia,” Kabila zitamlaani na mataifa yatamkana.
25 But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
Bali itakuwa vyema kwa wale watakaowatia hatiani wenye hatia, nazo baraka tele zitawajilia juu yao.
26 and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
Jawabu la uaminifu ni kama busu la midomoni.
27 Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
Maliza kazi zako za nje, nawe uweke mashamba yako tayari, baada ya hayo, jenga nyumba yako.
28 Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
Usishuhudie dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu, au kutumia midomo yako kudanganya.
29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
Usiseme, “Nitamtenda kama alivyonitenda mimi; nitamlipiza mtu yule kwa kile alichonitendea.”
30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
Nilipita karibu na shamba la mvivu, karibu na shamba la mizabibu la mtu asiye na akili,
31 If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
miiba ilikuwa imeota kila mahali, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa na magugu, na ukuta wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
Nikatafakari moyoni mwangu lile nililoliona, nami nikajifunza somo kutokana na niliyoyaona:
33 [The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, bado kukunja mikono kidogo upate kupumzika:
34 But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
hivyo umaskini utakuja juu yako kama mnyangʼanyi, na kupungukiwa kutakujia kama mtu mwenye silaha.
