Ecclesiastes 10
1 As dead flies cause perfume to stink, so a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor.
Kama vile nzi waliokufa huacha harufu mbaya kwenye manukato, ndivyo upumbavu kidogo huzidi nguvu hekima na heshima.
2 The heart of a wise person tends to the right, but the heart of a fool tends to the left.
Moyo wa mwenye hekima huelekea kuume, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
3 When a fool walks down a road, his thinking is deficient, proving to everyone he is a fool.
Hata anapotembea barabarani, mpumbavu hukosa ufahamu na kudhihirisha kwa kila mmoja jinsi alivyo mpumbavu.
4 If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you, do not leave your work. Calm can quiet down great outrage.
Kama hasira ya mtawala ikiwaka dhidi yako, usiache mahali pako, utulivu huweza kuzuia makosa mengi.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, a kind of error that comes from a ruler:
Kuna ubaya niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa litokalo kwa mtawala:
6 Fools are given leadership positions, while successful men are given low positions.
Wapumbavu kuwekwa kwenye nafasi nyingi za juu, wakati matajiri hushika nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen slaves riding horses, and successful men walking like slaves on the ground.
Mimi nimeona watumwa wamepanda farasi, wakati wakuu wakitembea kwa miguu kama watumwa.
8 Anyone who digs a pit can fall into it, and whenever someone breaks down a wall, a snake can bite him.
Yeye achimbaye shimo aweza kutumbukia ndani yake, yeyote abomoaye ukuta anaweza kuumwa na nyoka.
9 Whoever cuts out stones can be hurt by them, and the man who chops wood is endangered by it.
Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.
10 If an iron blade is dull, and a man does not sharpen it, then he must use more strength, but wisdom provides an advantage for success.
Kama shoka ni butu na halikunolewa, nguvu nyingi zinahitajika, lakini ustadi utaleta mafanikio.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Maneno yatokayo kinywani mwa mtu mwenye hekima yana neema, bali mpumbavu huangamizwa na midomo yake mwenyewe.
13 As words begin to flow from a fool's mouth, foolishness comes out, and at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness.
Mwanzoni maneno yake ni upumbavu, mwishoni ni wazimu mbaya,
14 A fool multiplies words, but no one knows what is coming. Who knows what is coming after him?
naye mpumbavu huzidisha maneno. Hakuna yeyote ajuaye linalokuja, ni nani awezaye kueleza ni jambo gani litakalotokea baada yake?
15 The toil of fools wearies them, so that they do not even know the road to town.
Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.
16 Woe to you, land, if your king is a young boy, and if your leaders begin feasting in the morning!
Ole wako, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako alikuwa mtumwa na ambayo wakuu wako hufanya karamu asubuhi.
17 But blessed are you, land, if your king is the son of nobles, and if your leaders eat at the right time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Heri wewe, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako ni wa uzao wenye kuheshimika na ambayo wakuu wako hula chakula kwa wakati unaofaa: ili kupata nguvu na si kwa ajili ya ulevi.
18 Because of laziness the roof sinks in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.
Kama mtu ni mvivu paa la nyumba huinama, kutokana na mikono milegevu, nyumba huvuja.
19 People prepare food for laughter, wine brings enjoyment to life, and money fills the need for everything.
Karamu hufanywa kwa ajili ya kicheko, nao mvinyo hufurahisha maisha, lakini fedha ni jawabu la mambo yote.
20 Do not curse the king, not even in your mind, and do not curse rich people in your bedroom. For a bird of the sky might carry your words; whatever has wings can spread the matter.
Usimshutumu mfalme hata ikiwa ni katika mawazo yako, au kumlaani tajiri katika chumba chako cha kulala, kwa sababu ndege wa angani wanaweza kuchukua maneno yako, naye ndege anayeruka anaweza kutoa taarifa ya yale uliyosema.
