Mithali 20
1 Mvinyo ni mdhihaki na kileo ni mgomvi; yeyote apotoshwaye navyo hana hekima.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; yeye amkasirishaye hupoteza uhai wake.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Ni kwa heshima ya mtu kujitenga ugomvi, bali kila mpumbavu ni mwepesi kugombana.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Mvivu halimi kwa majira; kwa hiyo wakati wa mavuno hutazama lakini hapati chochote.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Makusudi ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maji yenye kina, lakini mtu mwenye ufahamu huyachota.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Watu wengi hujidai kuwa na upendo usiokoma, bali mtu mwaminifu ni nani awezaye kumpata?
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Mtu mwenye haki huishi maisha yasiyo na lawama, wamebarikiwa watoto wake baada yake.
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Wakati mfalme aketipo katika kiti chake cha enzi kuhukumu, hupepeta ubaya wote kwa macho yake.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Ni nani awezaye kusema, “Nimeuweka moyo wangu safi; mimi ni safi na sina dhambi?”
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Mawe ya kupimia yaliyo tofauti na vipimo tofauti, Bwana huchukia vyote viwili.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Hata mtoto hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kama tabia yake ni safi na adili.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Masikio yasikiayo na macho yaonayo, Bwana ndiye alivifanya vyote viwili.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Usiupende usingizi la sivyo utakuwa maskini, uwe macho nawe utakuwa na chakula cha akiba.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 “Haifai, haifai!” asema mnunuzi, kisha huondoka akijisifia ununuzi wake.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Dhahabu kunayo, na marijani kwa wingi, lakini midomo inenayo maarifa ni kito cha thamani kilicho adimu.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Chakula kilichopatikana kwa hila ni kitamu kwa mwanadamu, bali huishia na kinywa kilichojaa changarawe.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Fanya mipango kwa kutafuta mashauri, ukipigana vita, tafuta maelekezo.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Maneno ya kusengenya husababisha kutokuaminika, kwa hiyo mwepuke mtu anayezungumza kupita kiasi.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Ikiwa mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itazimwa katika giza nene.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Urithi upatikanao haraka mwanzoni, hautabarikiwa mwishoni.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Usiseme, “Nitakulipiza kwa ajili ya kosa hili!” Mngojee Bwana, naye atakuokoa.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Bwana anachukia sana mawe ya kupimia ya udanganyifu, nazo mizani zisizo halali hazimpendezi.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Bwana. Anawezaje basi mtu yeyote kuelewa njia yake mwenyewe?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Ni mtego kwa mtu kuweka wakfu kitu kwa haraka na baada ya kitambo kidogo kufikiria tena nadhiri zake.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Mfalme mwenye hekima hupepeta waovu, hulipitisha gurudumu la kupuria juu yao.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Taa ya Bwana huchunguza roho ya mwanadamu, huchunguza utu wake wa ndani.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Upendo na uaminifu humweka mfalme salama, kwa njia ya upendo, kiti chake cha enzi huwa salama.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Utukufu wa vijana ni nguvu zao, mvi ni fahari ya uzee.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Mapigo na majeraha huusafisha ubaya, nayo michapo hutakasa utu wa ndani.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
