Mithali 27
1 Usijisifu kwa ajili ya kesho, kwa kuwa hujui ni nini kitakachozaliwa kwa siku moja.
Don't boast about what you're going to do tomorrow, because you don't know what the day may bring.
2 Mwache mwingine akusifu, wala si kinywa chako mwenyewe; mtu mwingine afanye hivyo na si midomo yako mwenyewe.
Let others praise you, not you yourself; someone else, not you personally.
3 Jiwe ni zito na mchanga ni mzigo, lakini kukasirishwa na mpumbavu ni kuzito kuliko vyote viwili.
Stone may be heavy, and sand may weigh a lot, but the annoyance caused by stupid people is the biggest burden of all.
4 Hasira ni ukatili na ghadhabu kali ni gharika, lakini ni nani awezaye kusimama mbele ya wivu?
Fury may be fierce and cruel, anger may be a destructive flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Afadhali karipio la wazi kuliko upendo uliofichika.
Open criticism is better than hidden love.
6 Majeraha kutoka kwa rafiki yaonyesha uaminifu, bali kubusu kwa adui ni kwingi sana.
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
7 Yeye aliyeshiba huchukia kabisa asali, bali kwa mwenye njaa hata kile kilicho kichungu kwake ni kitamu.
If you're full up, you can't face honey; but if you're starving, even bitter food tastes sweet.
8 Kama ndege atangatangavyo mbali na kiota chake, ndivyo alivyo mtu atangatangaye mbali na nyumbani mwake.
Having to leave home is like a bird having to leave its nest.
9 Manukato na uvumba huleta furaha moyoni, nao uzuri wa rafiki huchipuka kutoka kwenye ushauri wake wa uaminifu.
Perfume and scented oils make you feel happy, but good advice from a friend is even better.
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.
Don't give up on your friends or your family's friends. Don't go to a relative's house when you've got trouble. A friend nearby is more useful than a relative far away.
11 Mwanangu, uwe na hekima, nawe ulete furaha moyoni mwangu, ndipo nitakapoweza kumjibu yeyote anitendaye kwa dharau.
My son, make me happy by being wise, so I can respond to anyone who criticizes me.
12 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele nayo ikamtesa.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and suffer the consequences.
13 Chukua vazi la yule awekaye dhamana kwa ajili ya mgeni; lishikilie iwe dhamana kama anafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya mwanamke mpotovu.
If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to an immoral woman!
14 Kama mtu akimbariki jirani yake kwa sauti kuu asubuhi na mapema, itahesabiwa kama ni laana.
If when you get up every morning you shout a loud hello to your neighbors, they will see that as a curse!
15 Mke mgomvi ni kama matone yasiyokoma ya siku ya mvua.
An argumentative wife is as irritating as constant dripping on a rainy day.
16 Kumzuia yeye ni kama kuuzuia upepo au kukamata mafuta kwa kiganja cha mkono.
Trying to stop her is like trying to make the wind stop or trying to hold olive oil in your hand.
17 Kama vile chuma kinoavyo chuma, ndivyo mtu amnoavyo mwenzake.
An iron blade is sharpened with an iron tool, and one person's mind is sharpened by another's.
18 Yeye autunzaye mtini atakula tunda lake, naye amtunzaye bwana wake ataheshimiwa.
Those who care for a fig tree eat its fruit, and those who care for their master are rewarded.
19 Kama uso uonekanavyo kwenye maji, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa mtu humwonyesha alivyo.
Just as water reflects your face, your mind reflects who you really are.
In the same way that the grave and destruction are never satisfied, human desire is never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 Kalibu ni kwa ajili ya fedha na tanuru kwa ajili ya dhahabu, bali mtu hupimwa kwa sifa azipokeazo.
Just as a crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, people are tested by the praise they receive.
22 Hata ukimtwanga mpumbavu kwenye kinu, ukimtwanga kama nafaka kwa mchi, hutauondoa upumbavu wake.
Even if you ground stupid people in a mortar, crushing them like grain with the pestle, you can't get rid of stupidity from them.
23 Hakikisha kuwa unajua hali ya makundi yako ya kondoo na mbuzi, angalia kwa bidii ngʼombe zako.
You should know the condition of your flocks really well and take good care of your herds,
24 Kwa kuwa utajiri haudumu milele, nayo taji haidumu vizazi vyote.
for wealth doesn't last forever—is a crown passed down through all generations?
25 Wakati majani makavu yameondolewa na mapya yamechipua, nayo majani toka milimani yamekusanywa,
Once the hay is cut, and the new growth begins, and fodder from the mountains is gathered,
26 wana-kondoo watakupatia mavazi na mbuzi thamani ya shamba.
and the lambs have provided you wool to make clothing, and the sale of goats have paid for a field,
27 Utakuwa na maziwa mengi ya mbuzi kukulisha wewe na jamaa yako, na kuwalisha watumishi wako wa kike.
there'll be enough milk from your goats to feed you, your family, and your servant girls.
