Mhubiri 10
1 Kama nzi walio kufa husababisha manukato kutoa harufu ya uozo, hivyo hivyo upumbavu kidogo hushinda hekima na heshima.
Dead flies, cause to stink [and] ferment, the oil of the perfumer, —More costly than wisdom or honour, is a little folly.
2 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huelekea kulia, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
The sense of the wise, is on his right hand, —But, the sense of the dullard, on his left:
3 Wakati mpumbavu anapotembea barabarani, fikira zake zina upungufu, ikithibitisha kwa kila mtu kwamba ni mpumbavu.
Yea, even by the way, as the foolish man walketh along, his sense faileth him—and he telleth everyone that, foolish, is he!
4 Kama jaziba za mtawala zikiinuka kinyume na wewe, usiache kazi yako. Utulivu unaweza kutuliza ukatili mkubwa.
If, the spirit of a ruler, riseth up against thee, thy place, do not leave, for gentleness, pacifieth such as have greatly erred.
5 Kuna uovu niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa ambalo huja kutoka kwa mtawala:
Here was a misfortune I had seen under the sun, —a veritable mistake that was going forth from the presence of one who had power:
6 Wapumbavu wanapewa nafasi za uongozi, wakati watu walio faulu wanapewa nafasi za chini.
Folly placed in great dignity, —while, the rich, in a low place, took their seat:
7 Nimewaona watumwa wakipanda farasi, na watu walio faulu wakitembea kama watumwa juu ya ardhi.
I had seen, servants, upon horses, —and, rulers, walking like servants, on the ground.
8 Yeyote anayechimba shimo anaweza kutumbukia yake, na popote mtu anayevunja ukuja, nyoka anaweza kumuuma.
He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, may fall, —and, he that breaketh through a hedge, there may bite him a serpent.
9 Yeyote achongaye mwawe, anaweza kuumizwa nayo. Na mtu achongaye mbao, anaweza kujihatarisha kwa hiyo.
He that removeth stones, may be hurt therewith, —and he that cleaveth wood, may be endangered thereby.
10 Kama chuma bapa kisicho na makali, na mtu hainoi, kisha ni lazima atumie nguvu nyingi, lakini hekima hutoa faida kwa ufaulu.
If, blunt, be the iron, and, himself, hath not sharpened, the edge, then, much force, must he apply, —but, an advantage for giving success, is wisdom.
11 Kama nyoka akiuma kabla hajafurahi, hivyo hakuna faida kwa mfurahishaji.
If a serpent will bite, unless he is charmed, then there is nothing better for him that owneth a tongue.
12 Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu mwenye hekima yana huruma. Lakini midomo ya mpumbavu humumeza mwenyewe.
The words of a wise man’s mouth, are pleasant, —but, the lips of a dullard, will swallow him up:
13 Kama maneno yanavyo anza kutiririka mdomoni mwa mpumbavu, ujinga hutoka, na mwisho mdomo wake hutiririka wazimu mbaya.
The beginning of the words of his mouth, is folly, —but, the latter end of his speech, is mischievous madness.
14 Mpumbavu huongeza maneno, lakini hakuna ajuaye kinachokuja. Ni nani ajuaye baada yake?
Yet, a foolish man, multiplieth words, —[though] no man knoweth that which hath been, and, that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
15 Jasho la wapumbavu huwavaa wao, hivyo hawajui hata barabara ya kwenda mjini.
The toil of dullards, shall weary a man, that he knoweth not how to go into the city.
16 Ole wako ardhi kama mfalme wako ni kijana mdogo, na kama viongozi wako huanza karamu ahsubuhi!
Alas! for thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, —and, thy rulers, in the morning, do eat:
17 Lakini umebarikiwa ardhi kama mfalme wako ni mwana wa waungwana, na kama vingozi wako hula wakati muafaka, kwa nguvu, na sio kwa ulevi.
How happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, —and, thy rulers, in season, do eat, for strength, and not for debauchery.
18 Kwa sababu ya uvivu paa huanguka. Na kwa sababu isiyo fanya kazi nyumba hupata ufa.
By two lazy arms, the framework sinketh in, —and, by the hanging down of the hands, the house may leak.
19 Watu huandaa chakula kwa kicheko, divai huleta furaha maishani, na fedha hutimiza hitaji kwa kila kitu.
Merrily people make bread, and, wine, gladdeneth life, —but, money, answereth all things.
20 Usimlaani mfalme, hata katika akili, na usiwalaani wenye mali katika chumba chako cha kulala. Kwa kuwa ndege wa angani inaweza kuchukua maneno yako. Chochote kilicho na mabawa kinaweza kusambaza jambo.
Even in thy thought, do not revile, the king, nor, within thy bed-chambers, revile thou the rich, —for, a bird of the heavens, might carry the voice, yea, an owner of wings, might tell the matter.
