Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
Kama theluji wakati wa kiangazi au mvua wakati wa mavuno, ndivyo asivyostahili heshima mpumbavu.
2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
Kama shomoro apigapigavyo mabawa yake au mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake kasi, ndivyo ilivyo laana isiyo na sababu haimpati mtu.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, nayo fimbo kwa migongo ya wapumbavu!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama wewe mwenyewe utakuwa kama yeye.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Mjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake, ama atakuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
Kama vile ilivyo kujikata miguu au kunywa hasara, ndivyo ilivyo kutuma ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Kama miguu ya kiwete inavyoningʼinia ndivyo ilivyo mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Kama kufunga jiwe kwenye kombeo, ndivyo ilivyo kumpa mpumbavu heshima.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Kama mwiba kwenye mkono wa mlevi ndivyo ilivyo mithali kinywani mwa mpumbavu.
10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
Kama mpiga upinde ambaye hujeruhi ovyo, ndivyo alivyo yeye aajiriye mpumbavu au yeyote apitaye njiani.
11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
Kama mbwa ayarudiavyo matapiko yake, ndivyo mpumbavu arudiavyo upumbavu wake.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Je, unamwona mtu ajionaye mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Liko tumaini zaidi kwa mpumbavu kuliko kwake.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba barabarani, simba mkali anazunguka mitaa!”
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo kwenye bawaba zake, ndivyo mvivu ajigeuzavyo kitandani mwake.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, naye huchoka kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, kuliko watu saba wawezao kujibu kwa busara.
17 He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Kama yeye amkamataye mbwa kwa masikio, ndivyo alivyo mtu apitaye njiani na kujiingiza kwenye ugomvi usiomhusu.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
Kama mtu mwendawazimu atupaye vijinga vya moto au mishale ya kufisha,
19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
ndivyo alivyo mtu amdanganyaye jirani yake na kusema, “Nilikuwa nikifanya mzaha tu!”
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
Bila kuni moto huzimika; pasipo uchongezi ugomvi humalizika.
21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, na kama kuni kwenye moto, ndivyo alivyo mtu mgomvi kwa kuchochea ugomvi.
22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Kama rangi ingʼaayo iliyopakwa kwenye vyombo vya udongo ndivyo ilivyo midomo laini pamoja na moyo mbaya.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
Mtu mwenye nia ya kudhuru wengine hujificha kwa maneno ya midomo yake, lakini moyoni mwake huficha udanganyifu.
25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Ingawa maneno yake huvutia, usimwamini, kwa maana machukizo saba hujaza moyo wake.
26 Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
Nia yake ya kudhuru wengine inaweza kufichwa na udanganyifu, lakini uovu wake utafichuliwa kwenye kusanyiko.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Kama mtu akichimba shimo, atatumbukia ndani yake, kama mtu akivingirisha jiwe, litamrudia.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Ulimi wa uongo, huwachukia wale unaowaumiza, nacho kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
