Mithali 20
1 Mvinyo ni mdhihaki na kileo ni mgomvi; yeyote apotoshwaye navyo hana hekima.
Wine is a mocker and strong drinke is raging: and whosoeuer is deceiued thereby, is not wise.
2 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama ngurumo ya simba; yeye amkasirishaye hupoteza uhai wake.
The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.
3 Ni kwa heshima ya mtu kujitenga ugomvi, bali kila mpumbavu ni mwepesi kugombana.
It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
4 Mvivu halimi kwa majira; kwa hiyo wakati wa mavuno hutazama lakini hapati chochote.
The slouthfull will not plowe, because of winter: therefore shall he beg in sommer, but haue nothing.
5 Makusudi ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maji yenye kina, lakini mtu mwenye ufahamu huyachota.
The counsell in the heart of man is like deepe waters: but a man that hath vnderstanding, will drawe it out.
6 Watu wengi hujidai kuwa na upendo usiokoma, bali mtu mwaminifu ni nani awezaye kumpata?
Many men wil boast, euery one of his owne goodnes: but who can finde a faithfull man?
7 Mtu mwenye haki huishi maisha yasiyo na lawama, wamebarikiwa watoto wake baada yake.
He that walketh in his integritie, is iust: and blessed shall his children be after him.
8 Wakati mfalme aketipo katika kiti chake cha enzi kuhukumu, hupepeta ubaya wote kwa macho yake.
A King that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, chaseth away all euill with his eyes.
9 Ni nani awezaye kusema, “Nimeuweka moyo wangu safi; mimi ni safi na sina dhambi?”
Who can say, I haue made mine heart cleane, I am cleane from my sinne?
10 Mawe ya kupimia yaliyo tofauti na vipimo tofauti, Bwana huchukia vyote viwili.
Diuers weightes, and diuers measures, both these are euen abomination vnto the Lord.
11 Hata mtoto hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kama tabia yake ni safi na adili.
A childe also is knowen by his doings, whether his worke be pure and right.
12 Masikio yasikiayo na macho yaonayo, Bwana ndiye alivifanya vyote viwili.
The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.
13 Usiupende usingizi la sivyo utakuwa maskini, uwe macho nawe utakuwa na chakula cha akiba.
Loue not sleepe least thou come vnto pouertie: open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 “Haifai, haifai!” asema mnunuzi, kisha huondoka akijisifia ununuzi wake.
It is naught, it is naught, sayth the buyer: but when he is gone apart, he boasteth.
15 Dhahabu kunayo, na marijani kwa wingi, lakini midomo inenayo maarifa ni kito cha thamani kilicho adimu.
There is golde, and a multitude of precious stones: but the lips of knowledge are a precious iewel.
16 Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
Take his garment, that is suretie for a stranger, and a pledge of him for the stranger.
17 Chakula kilichopatikana kwa hila ni kitamu kwa mwanadamu, bali huishia na kinywa kilichojaa changarawe.
The bread of deceit is sweete to a man: but afterward his mouth shalbe filled with grauel.
18 Fanya mipango kwa kutafuta mashauri, ukipigana vita, tafuta maelekezo.
Establish the thoughtes by counsell: and by counsell make warre.
19 Maneno ya kusengenya husababisha kutokuaminika, kwa hiyo mwepuke mtu anayezungumza kupita kiasi.
He that goeth about as a slanderer, discouereth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Ikiwa mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itazimwa katika giza nene.
He that curseth his father or his mother, his light shalbe put out in obscure darkenes.
21 Urithi upatikanao haraka mwanzoni, hautabarikiwa mwishoni.
An heritage is hastely gotten at the beginning, but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Usiseme, “Nitakulipiza kwa ajili ya kosa hili!” Mngojee Bwana, naye atakuokoa.
Say not thou, I wil recompense euill: but waite vpon the Lord, and he shall saue thee.
23 Bwana anachukia sana mawe ya kupimia ya udanganyifu, nazo mizani zisizo halali hazimpendezi.
Diuers weightes are an abomination vnto the Lord, and deceitful balances are not good.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Bwana. Anawezaje basi mtu yeyote kuelewa njia yake mwenyewe?
The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then vnderstand his owne way?
25 Ni mtego kwa mtu kuweka wakfu kitu kwa haraka na baada ya kitambo kidogo kufikiria tena nadhiri zake.
It is a destruction for a man to deuoure that which is sanctified, and after the vowes to inquire.
26 Mfalme mwenye hekima hupepeta waovu, hulipitisha gurudumu la kupuria juu yao.
A wise King scattereth the wicked, and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them.
27 Taa ya Bwana huchunguza roho ya mwanadamu, huchunguza utu wake wa ndani.
The light of the Lord is the breath of man, and searcheth all the bowels of the belly.
28 Upendo na uaminifu humweka mfalme salama, kwa njia ya upendo, kiti chake cha enzi huwa salama.
Mercie and trueth preserue the King: for his throne shall be established with mercie.
29 Utukufu wa vijana ni nguvu zao, mvi ni fahari ya uzee.
The beautie of yong men is their strength, and the glory of the aged is the gray head.
30 Mapigo na majeraha huusafisha ubaya, nayo michapo hutakasa utu wa ndani.
The blewnes of the wound serueth to purge the euill, and the stripes within the bowels of the belly.
