Mithali 25
1 Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out.
3 Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
5 Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
6 Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
7 ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,
8 usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
10 ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
11 Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
12 Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu au pambo la dhahabu safi, ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
13 Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao, huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
Like the cold of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life of his masters.
14 Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
15 Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
17 Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
18 Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Kama vile avuaye mavazi siku ya baridi, au kama siki iliyomwagwa juu ya magadi, ndivyo alivyo yeye amuimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito.
Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
23 Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
24 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
25 Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, so is good news from a far country.
26 Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au kisima kilichotiwa taka ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki akishiriki na waovu.
Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
27 Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
28 Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.
