Mithali 20
1 Mvinyo ni mdhihaki na kileo ni mgomvi; yeyote apotoshwaye navyo hana hekima.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. 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 roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 Ni kwa heshima ya mtu kujitenga ugomvi, bali kila mpumbavu ni mwepesi kugombana.
It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
4 Mvivu halimi kwa majira; kwa hiyo wakati wa mavuno hutazama lakini hapati chochote.
The sluggard will not plough by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Makusudi ya moyo wa mwanadamu ni maji yenye kina, lakini mtu mwenye ufahamu huyachota.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Watu wengi hujidai kuwa na upendo usiokoma, bali mtu mwaminifu ni nani awezaye kumpata?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 Mtu mwenye haki huishi maisha yasiyo na lawama, wamebarikiwa watoto wake baada yake.
A righteous man walks in 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 the throne of judgement scatters away 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 made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Mawe ya kupimia yaliyo tofauti na vipimo tofauti, Bwana huchukia vyote viwili.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11 Hata mtoto hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kama tabia yake ni safi na adili.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Masikio yasikiayo na macho yaonayo, Bwana ndiye alivifanya vyote viwili.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Usiupende usingizi la sivyo utakuwa maskini, uwe macho nawe utakuwa na chakula cha akiba.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 “Haifai, haifai!” asema mnunuzi, kisha huondoka akijisifia ununuzi wake.
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Dhahabu kunayo, na marijani kwa wingi, lakini midomo inenayo maarifa ni kito cha thamani kilicho adimu.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
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 one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Chakula kilichopatikana kwa hila ni kitamu kwa mwanadamu, bali huishia na kinywa kilichojaa changarawe.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Fanya mipango kwa kutafuta mashauri, ukipigana vita, tafuta maelekezo.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Maneno ya kusengenya husababisha kutokuaminika, kwa hiyo mwepuke mtu anayezungumza kupita kiasi.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Ikiwa mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itazimwa katika giza nene.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 Urithi upatikanao haraka mwanzoni, hautabarikiwa mwishoni.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Usiseme, “Nitakulipiza kwa ajili ya kosa hili!” Mngojee Bwana, naye atakuokoa.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23 Bwana anachukia sana mawe ya kupimia ya udanganyifu, nazo mizani zisizo halali hazimpendezi.
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Bwana. Anawezaje basi mtu yeyote kuelewa njia yake mwenyewe?
A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way?
25 Ni mtego kwa mtu kuweka wakfu kitu kwa haraka na baada ya kitambo kidogo kufikiria tena nadhiri zake.
It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 Mfalme mwenye hekima hupepeta waovu, hulipitisha gurudumu la kupuria juu yao.
A wise king winnows 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 man is the LORD’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Upendo na uaminifu humweka mfalme salama, kwa njia ya upendo, kiti chake cha enzi huwa salama.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 Utukufu wa vijana ni nguvu zao, mvi ni fahari ya uzee.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendour of old men is their grey hair.
30 Mapigo na majeraha huusafisha ubaya, nayo michapo hutakasa utu wa ndani.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
