Proverbs 24
1 [My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
Usiwe na husuda kwa wenye ubaya, wala usitamani kuambatana nao,
2 For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
kwa sababu mioyo yao inapanga njama za vurugu na midomo ya huongea juu ya madhara.
3 A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa na kwa ufahamu huimarishwa.
4 By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
Kwa maarifa vyumba hujazwa vitu vyote vya thamani na utajiri wa kupendeza.
5 A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
Shujaa wa hekima ni imara, na mtu wa maarifa huongeza nguvu zake;
6 War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
maana kwa uongozi wa busara unaweza kufanya vita na kwa washauri wengi kuna ushindi.
7 Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
Hekima ipo juu sana kwa mpumbavu; hafumbui kinywa chake kwenye mlango.
8 but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
Kuna yule mwenye kupanga kufanya mabaya- watu wanamwita bwana wa njama.
9 The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
Mipango ya mpumbavu ni dhambi na watu humchukia mwenye dhihaka.
10 He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
Kama utakuwa dhaifu na mwenye kuogopa siku ya taabu, basi nguvu zako ni haba.
11 Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
Waokoe wanaochukuliwa kwenda kwenye mauti na uwashikilie wale wanaopepesuka kwenda kwa mchinjaji.
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 utasema, “Tazama, hatujui chochote juu ya hili,” je yule anayepima mioyo hajui unachosema? Na yule anayelinda maisha yako, je hajui? Je Mungu hatampa kila mmoja kile anachostahili?
13 [My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
Mwanangu, kula asali kwa kuwa ni nzuri, kwa sababu matone ya sega la asali ni matamu unapoonja.
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.
Hekima ndiyo ilivyo katika nafsi yako - kama utaitafuta, tumaini lako halitabatilika na kutakuwa na tumaini.
15 Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
Usisubiri kwa kuvizia kama waovu ambao hushambulia nyumba ya mwenye haki. Usiiharibu nyumba yake!
16 For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
Maana mwenye haki huanguka mara saba na kuinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa kwa maafa.
17 If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
Usisherekee wakati adui yako anapoanguka na wala moyo wako usifurahi anapojikwaa,
18 For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
au Yehova ataona na kutoridhika na kuondoa ghadhabu juu yake.
19 Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
Usifadhaike kwa sababu ya watenda mabaya, na wala usiwahusudu watu waovu,
20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
maana mtu mbaya hana matumaini na taa ya watu waovu itazimika.
21 [My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
Mwanangu; mche Yehova, na umwogope mfalme, usishirikiane na watu wenye kuasi dhidi yao,
22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
maana kwa ghafula msiba wao utakuja na ni nani ajuaye ukubwa wa uharibifu utakao kuja kutoka kwa hao wote?
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.
Haya ni maneno ya wenye busara pia. Upendeleo katika kuhukumu kesi kwa sheria si vizuri.
24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.
Anayemwambia mwenye hatia, “Wewe upo sawa,” atalaaniwa na watu na mataifa yatamchukia.
25 But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
Bali wenye kuwakemea waovu watakuwa na furaha na zawadi za wema zitakuja kwao.
26 and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
Anayetoa jibu la kweli hutoa busu kwenye midomo.
27 Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
Andaa kazi yako ya nje, na tayarisha kila kitu kwa ajili yako mwenyewe shambani; baada ya hapo, jenga nyumba yako.
28 Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
Usitoe ushahidi dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu na usidanganye kwa midomo yako.
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, “Mimi nitamtendea kile alichonitendea; nitalipiza kwa kile alichofanya.”
30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
Nilikwenda jirani na shamba la mtu mvivu, nikapita kwenye shamba la mzabibu 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 imeota kila sehemu, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa kwa upupu, na ukuta wake wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
Kisha nikaliona na kufikiria juu yake; nikatazama na kupokea mafundisho.
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.
Kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, kupumzika kwa kukunja mikono kidogo-
34 But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
na umasikini huja kwa kutembea juu yako, na mahitaji yako kama askari mwenye silaha.
