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 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 glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;
7 ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
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 settings 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 to 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 those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary 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 gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
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 one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is 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. 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 heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water 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.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
28 Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
