Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the perfumer to send forth a stinking odour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
Kama nzi walio kufa husababisha manukato kutoa harufu ya uozo, hivyo hivyo upumbavu kidogo hushinda hekima na heshima.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart is at his left.
Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huelekea kulia, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
3 Also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
Wakati mpumbavu anapotembea barabarani, fikira zake zina upungufu, ikithibitisha kwa kila mtu kwamba ni mpumbavu.
4 If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
Kama jaziba za mtawala zikiinuka kinyume na wewe, usiache kazi yako. Utulivu unaweza kutuliza ukatili mkubwa.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
Kuna uovu niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa ambalo huja kutoka kwa mtawala:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.
Wapumbavu wanapewa nafasi za uongozi, wakati watu walio faulu wanapewa nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Nimewaona watumwa wakipanda farasi, na watu walio faulu wakitembea kama watumwa juu ya ardhi.
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
Yeyote anayechimba shimo anaweza kutumbukia yake, na popote mtu anayevunja ukuja, nyoka anaweza kumuuma.
9 Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cutteth wood shall be endangered by it.
Yeyote achongaye mwawe, anaweza kuumizwa nayo. Na mtu achongaye mbao, anaweza kujihatarisha kwa hiyo.
10 If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Kama chuma bapa kisicho na makali, na mtu hainoi, kisha ni lazima atumie nguvu nyingi, lakini hekima hutoa faida kwa ufaulu.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla hajafurahi, hivyo hakuna faida kwa mfurahishaji.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu mwenye hekima yana huruma. Lakini midomo ya mpumbavu humumeza mwenyewe.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Kama maneno yanavyo anza kutiririka mdomoni mwa mpumbavu, ujinga hutoka, na mwisho mdomo wake hutiririka wazimu mbaya.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Mpumbavu huongeza maneno, lakini hakuna ajuaye kinachokuja. Ni nani ajuaye baada yake?
15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.
Jasho la wapumbavu huwavaa wao, hivyo hawajui hata barabara ya kwenda mjini.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ole wako ardhi kama mfalme wako ni kijana mdogo, na kama viongozi wako huanza karamu ahsubuhi!
17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Lakini umebarikiwa ardhi kama mfalme wako ni mwana wa waungwana, na kama vingozi wako hula wakati muafaka, kwa nguvu, na sio kwa ulevi.
18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
Kwa sababu ya uvivu paa huanguka. Na kwa sababu isiyo fanya kazi nyumba hupata ufa.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Watu huandaa chakula kwa kicheko, divai huleta furaha maishani, na fedha hutimiza hitaji kwa kila kitu.
20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Usimlaani mfalme, hata katika akili, na usiwalaani wenye mali katika chumba chako cha kulala. Kwa kuwa ndege wa angani inaweza kuchukua maneno yako. Chochote kilicho na mabawa kinaweza kusambaza jambo.
