Mithali 24
1 Usiwaonee wivu watu waovu, usitamani ushirika nao;
Do not imitate evil men, nor desire to be among them.
2 kwa maana mioyo yao hupanga mambo ya jeuri, nayo midomo yao husema juu ya kuleta madhara.
For their mind meditates on robberies, and their lips speak deceptions.
3 Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa, nayo kwa njia ya ufahamu huimarishwa
By wisdom shall a house be built, and by prudence shall it be strengthened.
4 kwa njia ya maarifa vyumba vyake hujazwa vitu vya thamani na vya kupendeza.
By doctrine, the storerooms shall be filled with every substance that is precious and most beautiful.
5 Mtu mwenye hekima ana uwezo mkubwa, naye mtu mwenye maarifa huongeza nguvu,
A wise man is strong, and a well-taught man is robust and valiant.
6 kwa kufanya vita unahitaji uongozi na kwa ushindi washauri wengi.
For war is undertaken in an orderly manner, and safety shall be where there are many counsels.
7 Hekima i juu mno kwa mpumbavu, katika kusanyiko langoni hana lolote la kusema.
Wisdom is beyond the foolish; at the gate he will not open his mouth.
8 Yeye apangaye mabaya atajulikana kama mtu wa hila.
Whoever intends to do evil shall be called foolish.
9 Mipango ya upumbavu ni dhambi, watu huchukizwa na mwenye dhihaka.
The intention of the foolish is sin. And the detractor is an abomination among men.
10 Ukikata tamaa wakati wa taabu, jinsi gani nguvu zako ni kidogo!
If you despair, being weary in the day of anguish, your strength will be diminished.
11 Okoa wale wanaoongozwa kwenye kifo; wazuie wote wanaojikokota kuelekea machinjoni.
Rescue those who are led away to death. And do not cease from delivering those who are dragged away to a violent death.
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?
If you would say: “I do not have sufficient strength.” He who inspects the heart, the same one understands, and nothing slips past the one who preserves your soul. And he shall repay a 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, because it is good, and the honeycomb, because it is so sweet to your throat.
14 Ujue pia kwamba hekima ni tamu kwa nafsi yako, kama ukiipata, kuna matumaini kwako ya siku zijazo, nalo tumaini lako halitakatiliwa mbali.
So, too, is the doctrine of wisdom to your soul. When you have found it, you will have hope in the end, and your hope shall not perish.
15 Usivizie kama haramia afanyavyo ili kuyashambulia makao ya mwenye haki, wala usiyavamie makazi yake,
Do not lie in wait, and do not seek impiety in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.
16 Kwa maana ingawa mtu mwenye haki huanguka mara saba, huinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa chini na maafa.
For the just one will fall seven times, and he shall rise again. But the impious will fall into evil.
17 Usitazame kwa kufurahia adui yako aangukapo; wakati ajikwaapo, usiruhusu moyo wako ushangilie.
When your enemy will fall, do not be glad, and do not let your heart exult in his ruin,
18 Bwana asije akaona na kuchukia akaiondoa ghadhabu yake mbali naye.
lest perhaps the Lord see, and it displease him, and he may take away his wrath from him.
19 Usikasirike kwa sababu ya watu wabaya wala usiwaonee wivu waovu,
Do not contend with the most wicked, and do not be a rival to the impious.
20 kwa maana mtu mbaya hana tumaini la siku zijazo, nayo taa ya waovu itazimwa.
For the evil hold no hope in the future, and the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.
21 Mwanangu, mche Bwana na mfalme, wala usijiunge na waasi,
My son, fear the Lord, as well as the king. And do not mingle with detractors.
22 kwa maana hao wawili watatuma maangamizi ya ghafula juu yao, naye ni nani ajuaye maafa wawezayo kuleta?
For their perdition shall rise up suddenly. And who knows what ruin will be for each of them?
23 Hii pia ni misemo ya wenye hekima: Kuonyesha upendeleo katika hukumu si vyema:
Likewise, these things are for the wise. It is not good to base judgment on knowledge of character.
24 Yeyote amwambiaye mwenye hatia, “Wewe huna hatia,” Kabila zitamlaani na mataifa yatamkana.
Those who say to the impious, “You are just,” shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall detest them.
25 Bali itakuwa vyema kwa wale watakaowatia hatiani wenye hatia, nazo baraka tele zitawajilia juu yao.
Those who argue against the impious shall be praised, and a blessing shall come upon them.
26 Jawabu la uaminifu ni kama busu la midomoni.
He shall kiss the lips, who responds with upright words.
27 Maliza kazi zako za nje, nawe uweke mashamba yako tayari, baada ya hayo, jenga nyumba yako.
Prepare your outdoor work, and diligently cultivate your field, so that afterward, you may build your house.
28 Usishuhudie dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu, au kutumia midomo yako kudanganya.
Do not be a witness without cause against your neighbor. And do not mislead anyone with your lips.
29 Usiseme, “Nitamtenda kama alivyonitenda mimi; nitamlipiza mtu yule kwa kile alichonitendea.”
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me.” I will repay each one according to his work.
30 Nilipita karibu na shamba la mvivu, karibu na shamba la mizabibu la mtu asiye na akili,
I passed by the field of a lazy man, and by the vineyard of a foolish man,
31 miiba ilikuwa imeota kila mahali, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa na magugu, na ukuta wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
and behold, it was entirely filled with nettles, and thorns had covered its surface, and the stonewall was destroyed.
32 Nikatafakari moyoni mwangu lile nililoliona, nami nikajifunza somo kutokana na niliyoyaona:
When I had seen this, I laid it up in my heart, and by this example, I received discipline.
33 Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, bado kukunja mikono kidogo upate kupumzika:
You will sleep a little,” I said. “You will slumber briefly. You will fold your hands a little, so as to rest.
34 hivyo umaskini utakuja juu yako kama mnyangʼanyi, na kupungukiwa kutakujia kama mtu mwenye silaha.
And destitution will overtake you like a runner, and begging will overtake you like an armed man.”
