Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odour; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
Kama vile nzi waliokufa huacha harufu mbaya kwenye manukato, ndivyo upumbavu kidogo huzidi nguvu hekima na heshima.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, but a fool’s heart at his left.
Moyo wa mwenye hekima huelekea kuume, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
3 Yes also when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Hata anapotembea barabarani, mpumbavu hukosa ufahamu na kudhihirisha kwa kila mmoja jinsi alivyo mpumbavu.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offences to rest.
Kama hasira ya mtawala ikiwaka dhidi yako, usiache mahali pako, utulivu huweza kuzuia makosa mengi.
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
Kuna ubaya niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa litokalo kwa mtawala:
6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place.
Wapumbavu kuwekwa kwenye nafasi nyingi za juu, wakati matajiri hushika nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
Mimi nimeona watumwa wamepanda farasi, wakati wakuu wakitembea kwa miguu kama watumwa.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Yeye achimbaye shimo aweza kutumbukia ndani yake, yeyote abomoaye ukuta anaweza kuumwa na nyoka.
9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.
10 If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Kama shoka ni butu na halikunolewa, nguvu nyingi zinahitajika, lakini ustadi utaleta mafanikio.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
Maneno yatokayo kinywani mwa mtu mwenye hekima yana neema, bali mpumbavu huangamizwa na midomo yake mwenyewe.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Mwanzoni maneno yake ni upumbavu, mwishoni ni wazimu mbaya,
14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
naye mpumbavu huzidisha maneno. Hakuna yeyote ajuaye linalokuja, ni nani awezaye kueleza ni jambo gani litakalotokea baada yake?
15 The labour of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
Ole wako, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako alikuwa mtumwa na ambayo wakuu wako hufanya karamu asubuhi.
17 Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, 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 By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
Kama mtu ni mvivu paa la nyumba huinama, kutokana na mikono milegevu, nyumba huvuja.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
Karamu hufanywa kwa ajili ya kicheko, nao mvinyo hufurahisha maisha, lakini fedha ni jawabu la mambo yote.
20 Don’t curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and don’t curse the rich in your bedroom, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell 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.
