Mithali 27
1 Usijisifu kwa ajili ya kesho, kwa kuwa hujui ni nini kitakachozaliwa kwa siku moja.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Mwache mwingine akusifu, wala si kinywa chako mwenyewe; mtu mwingine afanye hivyo na si midomo yako mwenyewe.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 Jiwe ni zito na mchanga ni mzigo, lakini kukasirishwa na mpumbavu ni kuzito kuliko vyote viwili.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Hasira ni ukatili na ghadhabu kali ni gharika, lakini ni nani awezaye kusimama mbele ya wivu?
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Afadhali karipio la wazi kuliko upendo uliofichika.
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
6 Majeraha kutoka kwa rafiki yaonyesha uaminifu, bali kubusu kwa adui ni kwingi sana.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 Yeye aliyeshiba huchukia kabisa asali, bali kwa mwenye njaa hata kile kilicho kichungu kwake ni kitamu.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Kama ndege atangatangavyo mbali na kiota chake, ndivyo alivyo mtu atangatangaye mbali na nyumbani mwake.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9 Manukato na uvumba huleta furaha moyoni, nao uzuri wa rafiki huchipuka kutoka kwenye ushauri wake wa uaminifu.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
10 Usimwache rafiki yako wala rafiki wa baba yako, tena usiende nyumbani mwa ndugu yako wakati umepatwa na maafa. Bora jirani wa karibu kuliko ndugu aliye mbali.
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 Mwanangu, uwe na hekima, nawe ulete furaha moyoni mwangu, ndipo nitakapoweza kumjibu yeyote anitendaye kwa dharau.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele nayo ikamtesa.
The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
14 Kama mtu akimbariki jirani yake kwa sauti kuu asubuhi na mapema, itahesabiwa kama ni laana.
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15 Mke mgomvi ni kama matone yasiyokoma ya siku ya mvua.
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 Kumzuia yeye ni kama kuuzuia upepo au kukamata mafuta kwa kiganja cha mkono.
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17 Kama vile chuma kinoavyo chuma, ndivyo mtu amnoavyo mwenzake.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 Yeye autunzaye mtini atakula tunda lake, naye amtunzaye bwana wake ataheshimiwa.
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19 Kama uso uonekanavyo kwenye maji, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa mtu humwonyesha alivyo.
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali mtu hupimwa kwa sifa azipokeazo.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Hata ukimtwanga mpumbavu kwenye kinu, ukimtwanga kama nafaka kwa mchi, hutauondoa upumbavu wake.
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Hakikisha kuwa unajua hali ya makundi yako ya kondoo na mbuzi, angalia kwa bidii ngʼombe zako.
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
24 Kwa kuwa utajiri haudumu milele, nayo taji haidumu vizazi vyote.
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25 Wakati majani makavu yameondolewa na mapya yamechipua, nayo majani toka milimani yamekusanywa,
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
26 wana-kondoo watakupatia mavazi na mbuzi thamani ya shamba.
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 Utakuwa na maziwa mengi ya mbuzi kukulisha wewe na jamaa yako, na kuwalisha watumishi wako wa kike.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
