Proverbs 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
5 take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;
Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
7 for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes see.
ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
10 lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
11 [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
12 An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu au pambo la dhahabu safi, ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao, huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
14 Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.
Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
19 A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble.
Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
20 [As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.
Kama vile avuaye mavazi siku ya baridi, au kama siki iliyomwagwa juu ya magadi, ndivyo alivyo yeye amuimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.
Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
26 A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked.
Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au kisima kilichotiwa taka ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki akishiriki na waovu.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight.
Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.
Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
