Proverbs 25
1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah 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 a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
3 The heaven 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 shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
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 forth thyself in the presence of 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 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 have seen.
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 [himself; ] and discover not a secret to another:
Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures 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 an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an 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 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 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.
Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
15 By long forbearing is a prince 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 filled therewith, and vomit it.
Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] 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] a maul, 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 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
20 [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy 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 the LORD shall reward thee.
Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an 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 the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
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 righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
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: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
