Mithali 25
1 Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
For better it is that it be said to thee, Come up here; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thy eyes have seen.
8 usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in its end, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and reveal not a secret to another:
10 ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy turn not away.
11 Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu au pambo la dhahabu safi, ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient 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 time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.
17 Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
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 he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink:
22 Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, 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.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
