Proverbs 25
1 These also are 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 glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
8 Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings 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 to 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 those who send him; for he refreshes 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 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or 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 someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a 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 your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
22 for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and YHWH will reward you.
Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
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 to share a house with a contentious woman.
Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
25 Like cold water 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 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives 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; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
