< 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 perfumer to send forth a stinking savour: [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
2 Moyo wa mwenye hekima huelekea kuume, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
A wise man’s heart 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 the fool walketh by the way, his understanding 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 yielding allayeth great offences.
5 Kuna ubaya niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa litokalo kwa mtawala:
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler:
6 Wapumbavu kuwekwa kwenye nafasi nyingi za juu, wakati matajiri hushika nafasi za chini.
folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in 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 shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.
Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] 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 put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.
If the serpent bite before it be charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer.
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 will swallow up himself.
13 Mwanzoni maneno yake ni upumbavu, mwishoni ni wazimu mbaya,
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: 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?
A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.
The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth 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 the 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 slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.
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 glad the life: and money answereth all things.
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 a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

< Mhubiri 10 >