Mithali 24
1 Usiwaonee wivu watu waovu, usitamani ushirika nao;
[My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
2 kwa maana mioyo yao hupanga mambo ya jeuri, nayo midomo yao husema juu ya kuleta madhara.
For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
3 Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa, nayo kwa njia ya ufahamu huimarishwa
A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
4 kwa njia ya maarifa vyumba vyake hujazwa vitu vya thamani na vya kupendeza.
By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
5 Mtu mwenye hekima ana uwezo mkubwa, naye mtu mwenye maarifa huongeza nguvu,
A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
6 kwa kufanya vita unahitaji uongozi na kwa ushindi washauri wengi.
War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
7 Hekima i juu mno kwa mpumbavu, katika kusanyiko langoni hana lolote la kusema.
Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
8 Yeye apangaye mabaya atajulikana kama mtu wa hila.
but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
9 Mipango ya upumbavu ni dhambi, watu huchukizwa na mwenye dhihaka.
The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
10 Ukikata tamaa wakati wa taabu, jinsi gani nguvu zako ni kidogo!
He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
11 Okoa wale wanaoongozwa kwenye kifo; wazuie wote wanaojikokota kuelekea machinjoni.
Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
12 Kama mkisema, “Lakini hatukujua lolote kuhusu hili,” je, yule apimaye mioyo halitambui hili? Je, yule awalindaye maisha yenu halijui hili? Je, hatamlipa kila mtu kulingana na aliyotenda?
But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
13 Ule asali mwanangu, kwa kuwa ni nzuri; asali kutoka kwenye sega ni tamu kwa kuonja.
[My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
14 Ujue pia kwamba hekima ni tamu kwa nafsi yako, kama ukiipata, kuna matumaini kwako ya siku zijazo, nalo tumaini lako halitakatiliwa mbali.
Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.
15 Usivizie kama haramia afanyavyo ili kuyashambulia makao ya mwenye haki, wala usiyavamie makazi yake,
Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
16 Kwa maana ingawa mtu mwenye haki huanguka mara saba, huinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa chini na maafa.
For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
17 Usitazame kwa kufurahia adui yako aangukapo; wakati ajikwaapo, usiruhusu moyo wako ushangilie.
If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
18 Bwana asije akaona na kuchukia akaiondoa ghadhabu yake mbali naye.
For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
19 Usikasirike kwa sababu ya watu wabaya wala usiwaonee wivu waovu,
Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
20 kwa maana mtu mbaya hana tumaini la siku zijazo, nayo taa ya waovu itazimwa.
For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Mwanangu, mche Bwana na mfalme, wala usijiunge na waasi,
[My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
22 kwa maana hao wawili watatuma maangamizi ya ghafula juu yao, naye ni nani ajuaye maafa wawezayo kuleta?
For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
23 Hii pia ni misemo ya wenye hekima: Kuonyesha upendeleo katika hukumu si vyema:
And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.
24 Yeyote amwambiaye mwenye hatia, “Wewe huna hatia,” Kabila zitamlaani na mataifa yatamkana.
He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.
25 Bali itakuwa vyema kwa wale watakaowatia hatiani wenye hatia, nazo baraka tele zitawajilia juu yao.
But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
26 Jawabu la uaminifu ni kama busu la midomoni.
and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
27 Maliza kazi zako za nje, nawe uweke mashamba yako tayari, baada ya hayo, jenga nyumba yako.
Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
28 Usishuhudie dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu, au kutumia midomo yako kudanganya.
Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
29 Usiseme, “Nitamtenda kama alivyonitenda mimi; nitamlipiza mtu yule kwa kile alichonitendea.”
Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
30 Nilipita karibu na shamba la mvivu, karibu na shamba la mizabibu la mtu asiye na akili,
A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
31 miiba ilikuwa imeota kila mahali, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa na magugu, na ukuta wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
32 Nikatafakari moyoni mwangu lile nililoliona, nami nikajifunza somo kutokana na niliyoyaona:
Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
33 Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, bado kukunja mikono kidogo upate kupumzika:
[The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
34 hivyo umaskini utakuja juu yako kama mnyangʼanyi, na kupungukiwa kutakujia kama mtu mwenye silaha.
But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
