Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
Mvinyo ni mdhihaki na kileo ni mgomvi; yeyote apotoshwaye navyo hana hekima.
2 The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; yeye amkasirishaye hupoteza uhai wake.
3 It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
Ni kwa heshima ya mtu kujitenga ugomvi, bali kila mpumbavu ni mwepesi kugombana.
4 The sluggard will not plow when winter setteth in; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Mvivu halimi kwa majira; kwa hiyo wakati wa mavuno hutazama lakini hapati chochote.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Makusudi ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maji yenye kina, lakini mtu mwenye ufahamu huyachota.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness; but a faithful man who can find?
Watu wengi hujidai kuwa na upendo usiokoma, bali mtu mwaminifu ni nani awezaye kumpata?
7 He that walketh in his integrity as a just man, happy are his children after him.
Mtu mwenye haki huishi maisha yasiyo na lawama, wamebarikiwa watoto wake baada yake.
8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
Wakati mfalme aketipo katika kiti chake cha enzi kuhukumu, hupepeta ubaya wote kwa macho yake.
9 Who can say: 'I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin'?
Ni nani awezaye kusema, “Nimeuweka moyo wangu safi; mimi ni safi na sina dhambi?”
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Mawe ya kupimia yaliyo tofauti na vipimo tofauti, Bwana huchukia vyote viwili.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
Hata mtoto hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kama tabia yake ni safi na adili.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.
Masikio yasikiayo na macho yaonayo, Bwana ndiye alivifanya vyote viwili.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt have bread in plenty.
Usiupende usingizi la sivyo utakuwa maskini, uwe macho nawe utakuwa na chakula cha akiba.
14 'It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
“Haifai, haifai!” asema mnunuzi, kisha huondoka akijisifia ununuzi wake.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Dhahabu kunayo, na marijani kwa wingi, lakini midomo inenayo maarifa ni kito cha thamani kilicho adimu.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; and hold him in pledge that is surety for an alien woman.
Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
17 Bread of falsehood is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Chakula kilichopatikana kwa hila ni kitamu kwa mwanadamu, bali huishia na kinywa kilichojaa changarawe.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice carry on war.
Fanya mipango kwa kutafuta mashauri, ukipigana vita, tafuta maelekezo.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.
Maneno ya kusengenya husababisha kutokuaminika, kwa hiyo mwepuke mtu anayezungumza kupita kiasi.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in the blackest darkness.
Ikiwa mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itazimwa katika giza nene.
21 An estate may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Urithi upatikanao haraka mwanzoni, hautabarikiwa mwishoni.
22 Say not thou: 'I will requite evil'; wait for the LORD, and He will save thee.
Usiseme, “Nitakulipiza kwa ajili ya kosa hili!” Mngojee Bwana, naye atakuokoa.
23 Divers weights are an abomination to the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Bwana anachukia sana mawe ya kupimia ya udanganyifu, nazo mizani zisizo halali hazimpendezi.
24 A man's goings are of the LORD; how then can man look to his way?
Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Bwana. Anawezaje basi mtu yeyote kuelewa njia yake mwenyewe?
25 It is a snare to a man rashly to say: 'Holy', and after vows to make inquiry.
Ni mtego kwa mtu kuweka wakfu kitu kwa haraka na baada ya kitambo kidogo kufikiria tena nadhiri zake.
26 A wise king sifteth the wicked, and turneth the wheel over them.
Mfalme mwenye hekima hupepeta waovu, hulipitisha gurudumu la kupuria juu yao.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts.
Taa ya Bwana huchunguza roho ya mwanadamu, huchunguza utu wake wa ndani.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king; and his throne is upheld by mercy.
Upendo na uaminifu humweka mfalme salama, kwa njia ya upendo, kiti chake cha enzi huwa salama.
29 The glory of young men is their strength; and the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
Utukufu wa vijana ni nguvu zao, mvi ni fahari ya uzee.
30 Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts.
Mapigo na majeraha huusafisha ubaya, nayo michapo hutakasa utu wa ndani.
