Mithali 20
1 Mvinyo ni mdhihaki na kileo ni mgomvi; yeyote apotoshwaye navyo hana hekima.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; yeye amkasirishaye hupoteza uhai wake.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 Ni kwa heshima ya mtu kujitenga ugomvi, bali kila mpumbavu ni mwepesi kugombana.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 Mvivu halimi kwa majira; kwa hiyo wakati wa mavuno hutazama lakini hapati chochote.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5 Makusudi ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maji yenye kina, lakini mtu mwenye ufahamu huyachota.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
6 Watu wengi hujidai kuwa na upendo usiokoma, bali mtu mwaminifu ni nani awezaye kumpata?
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7 Mtu mwenye haki huishi maisha yasiyo na lawama, wamebarikiwa watoto wake baada yake.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 Wakati mfalme aketipo katika kiti chake cha enzi kuhukumu, hupepeta ubaya wote kwa macho yake.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Ni nani awezaye kusema, “Nimeuweka moyo wangu safi; mimi ni safi na sina dhambi?”
Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10 Mawe ya kupimia yaliyo tofauti na vipimo tofauti, Bwana huchukia vyote viwili.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 Hata mtoto hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kama tabia yake ni safi na adili.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12 Masikio yasikiayo na macho yaonayo, Bwana ndiye alivifanya vyote viwili.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13 Usiupende usingizi la sivyo utakuwa maskini, uwe macho nawe utakuwa na chakula cha akiba.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 “Haifai, haifai!” asema mnunuzi, kisha huondoka akijisifia ununuzi wake.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
15 Dhahabu kunayo, na marijani kwa wingi, lakini midomo inenayo maarifa ni kito cha thamani kilicho adimu.
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Chakula kilichopatikana kwa hila ni kitamu kwa mwanadamu, bali huishia na kinywa kilichojaa changarawe.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Fanya mipango kwa kutafuta mashauri, ukipigana vita, tafuta maelekezo.
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 Maneno ya kusengenya husababisha kutokuaminika, kwa hiyo mwepuke mtu anayezungumza kupita kiasi.
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 Ikiwa mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itazimwa katika giza nene.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 Urithi upatikanao haraka mwanzoni, hautabarikiwa mwishoni.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Usiseme, “Nitakulipiza kwa ajili ya kosa hili!” Mngojee Bwana, naye atakuokoa.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 Bwana anachukia sana mawe ya kupimia ya udanganyifu, nazo mizani zisizo halali hazimpendezi.
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Bwana. Anawezaje basi mtu yeyote kuelewa njia yake mwenyewe?
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can 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 ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 Mfalme mwenye hekima hupepeta waovu, hulipitisha gurudumu la kupuria juu yao.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27 Taa ya Bwana huchunguza roho ya mwanadamu, huchunguza utu wake wa ndani.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Upendo na uaminifu humweka mfalme salama, kwa njia ya upendo, kiti chake cha enzi huwa salama.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Utukufu wa vijana ni nguvu zao, mvi ni fahari ya uzee.
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 Mapigo na majeraha huusafisha ubaya, nayo michapo hutakasa utu wa ndani.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
