Mithali 25
1 Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
3 Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
4 Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
5 Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
6 Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
7 ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
For better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
8 usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.
9 Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
10 ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
11 Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12 Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu au pambo la dhahabu safi, ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.
13 Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao, huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
14 Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15 Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
16 Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
17 Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19 Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
20 Kama vile avuaye mavazi siku ya baridi, au kama siki iliyomwagwa juu ya magadi, ndivyo alivyo yeye amuimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito.
As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
23 Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
24 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25 Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
26 Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au kisima kilichotiwa taka ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki akishiriki na waovu.
A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27 Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
28 Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
