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 odour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for 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 is at his left.
3 Hata anapotembea barabarani, mpumbavu hukosa ufahamu na kudhihirisha kwa kila mmoja jinsi alivyo mpumbavu.
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.
4 Kama hasira ya mtawala ikiwaka dhidi yako, usiache mahali pako, utulivu huweza kuzuia makosa mengi.
If the spirit of the ruler riseth against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth 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 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 whoever breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
9 Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.
Whoever removeth stones shall be hurt by them; and he that cutteth wood shall be endangered by it.
10 Kama shoka ni butu na halikunolewa, nguvu nyingi zinahitajika, lakini ustadi utaleta mafanikio.
If the iron is blunt, and he doth not whet the edge, then must he use more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
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 is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.
The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because 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.
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!
18 Kama mtu ni mvivu paa la nyumba huinama, kutokana na mikono milegevu, nyumba huvuja.
By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through.
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 merry: but 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.
