Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
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 at his left.
Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huelekea kulia, 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.
Wakati mpumbavu anapotembea barabarani, fikira zake zina upungufu, ikithibitisha kwa kila mtu kwamba ni mpumbavu.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
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, the sort of error which proceeds 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 a low place.
Wapumbavu wanapewa nafasi za uongozi, wakati watu walio faulu wanapewa nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
Nimewaona watumwa wakipanda farasi, na watu walio faulu wakitembea kama watumwa juu ya ardhi.
8 He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Yeyote anayechimba shimo anaweza kutumbukia yake, na popote mtu anayevunja ukuja, nyoka anaweza kumuuma.
9 Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered by it.
Yeyote achongaye mwawe, anaweza kuumizwa nayo. Na mtu achongaye mbao, anaweza kujihatarisha kwa hiyo.
10 If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Kama chuma bapa kisicho na makali, na mtu hainoi, kisha ni lazima atumie nguvu nyingi, lakini hekima hutoa faida kwa ufaulu.
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer’s tongue.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla hajafurahi, hivyo hakuna faida kwa mfurahishaji.
12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
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 multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
Mpumbavu huongeza maneno, lakini hakuna ajuaye kinachokuja. Ni nani ajuaye baada yake?
15 The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn’t know how to go to the city.
Jasho la wapumbavu huwavaa wao, hivyo hawajui hata barabara ya kwenda mjini.
16 Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
Ole wako ardhi kama mfalme wako ni kijana mdogo, na kama viongozi wako huanza karamu ahsubuhi!
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!
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 slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
Kwa sababu ya uvivu paa huanguka. Na kwa sababu isiyo fanya kazi nyumba hupata ufa.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
Watu huandaa chakula kwa kicheko, divai huleta furaha maishani, na fedha hutimiza hitaji kwa kila kitu.
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.
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.
