Proverbs 25
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
3 The heaven above, and the earth beneath, 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 rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
10 Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient 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 him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao, huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
19 To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
20 And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the 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 thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
24 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au kisima kilichotiwa taka ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki akishiriki na waovu.
27 As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
