Mhubiri 10
1 Kama vile nzi waliokufa huacha harufu mbaya kwenye manukato, ndivyo upumbavu kidogo huzidi nguvu hekima na heshima.
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
2 Moyo wa mwenye hekima huelekea kuume, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
3 Hata anapotembea barabarani, mpumbavu hukosa ufahamu na kudhihirisha kwa kila mmoja jinsi alivyo mpumbavu.
Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
4 Kama hasira ya mtawala ikiwaka dhidi yako, usiache mahali pako, utulivu huweza kuzuia makosa mengi.
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
5 Kuna ubaya niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa litokalo kwa mtawala:
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
6 Wapumbavu kuwekwa kwenye nafasi nyingi za juu, wakati matajiri hushika nafasi za chini.
folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
7 Mimi nimeona watumwa wamepanda farasi, wakati wakuu wakitembea kwa miguu kama watumwa.
I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
8 Yeye achimbaye shimo aweza kutumbukia ndani yake, yeyote abomoaye ukuta anaweza kuumwa na nyoka.
He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
9 Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.
Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
10 Kama shoka ni butu na halikunolewa, nguvu nyingi zinahitajika, lakini ustadi utaleta mafanikio.
If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
11 Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.
If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
12 Maneno yatokayo kinywani mwa mtu mwenye hekima yana neema, bali mpumbavu huangamizwa na midomo yake mwenyewe.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
13 Mwanzoni maneno yake ni upumbavu, mwishoni ni wazimu mbaya,
The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 naye mpumbavu huzidisha maneno. Hakuna yeyote ajuaye linalokuja, ni nani awezaye kueleza ni jambo gani litakalotokea baada yake?
And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
15 Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.
The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
16 Ole wako, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako alikuwa mtumwa na ambayo wakuu wako hufanya karamu asubuhi.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
17 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.
Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Kama mtu ni mvivu paa la nyumba huinama, kutokana na mikono milegevu, nyumba huvuja.
By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
19 Karamu hufanywa kwa ajili ya kicheko, nao mvinyo hufurahisha maisha, lakini fedha ni jawabu la mambo yote.
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
20 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.
Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
