Mithali 20
1 Divai ni dhihaka na kinywaji kikali ni mgomvi; anayepotea kwa kunywa hana busara.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 Kumwogopa mfalme ni kama kumwogopa simba kijana aungurumaye, yeyote anayemkasirisha hutoa fidia ya maish yake.
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 Ni heshima kwa mtu yeyote kujiepusha na mafarakano, bali kila mpumbavu hurukia kwenye mabishano.
It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 Mtu mvivu halimi majira ya kipupwe; hutafuta mazao wakati wa mavuno lakini hapati kitu.
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 Makusudi ndani ya moyo wa mtu ni kama maji yenye kina, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu huyateka.
The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 Mara nyingi mtu husema yeye ni mwaminifu, lakini ni nani awezaye kumpata yule mwaminifu?
Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 Mtu atendaye haki hutembea katika uaminifu wake na wana wake wanaofuata baada yake wanafuraha.
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 Mfalme anayeketi kwenye kiti cha hukumu akifanya kazi za kuhukumu hupembua kwa macho yake mabaya yote yaliyoko mbele yake.
A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 Nani anayeweza kusema, “Nimeuweka safi moyo wangu; nipo huru na dhambi zangu”?
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 Mizani tofauti na vipimo visivyosawa - Yehova huvichukia vyote.
Differing weights and unequal measures — both are detestable to the LORD.
11 Hata kijana hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kwa mwenendo wake kama ni safi na uadilifu.
Even a young man is known by his actions— whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 Masikio yanayosikia na macho yanayoona- Yehova aliyafanya yote.
Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.
13 Usipende usingizi au utakuwa masikini; fumbua macho yako na utakuwa na vyakula tele.
Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 “Mbaya! Mbaya!” anasema mnunuzi, lakini akiondoka anajisifu.
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 Ipo dhahabu na mawe ya thamani, lakini midomo yenye maarifa ni kito cha thamani.
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 Chukua vazi kama mmiliki wake ataweka fedha kama dhamana kwa deni la mgeni, na lichukue kama anaweka dhamana kwa uzinifu.
Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 Mkate uliopatikana kwa ulaghai unaladha tamu, lakini baadaye kinywa chake kitajaa kokoto.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 Mipango huimarishwa kwa ushauri na kwa mwongozo wa busara utapigana vita.
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 Mmbea hufunua siri na kwa hiyo hupaswi kushirikiana na watu ambao huongea sana.
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 Kama mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itapulizwa katikati ya giza.
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 Urithi uliopatikana mwanzoni kwa haraka utakuwa na mema kidogo mwishoni.
An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 Usiseme “Mimi nitakulipiza kwa kosa hili” Msubiri Yehova na yeye atakuokoa.
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 Yehova huchukia mizani isiyo sawa na vipimo vya udanganyifu si vizuri.
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Yehova; namna gani basi ataifahamu njia yake?
A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 Ni mtego kwa mtu kusema kwa pupa, “Kitu hiki ni kitakatifu” na kuanza kufikiri juu yake kwamba kina maana gani baada ya kufanya kiapo.
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 Mfalme mwenye busara huwapepeta waovu na huligeuza juu yao gurudumu la kupuria.
A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 Roho ya mtu ni taa ya Yehova, hutafiti sehemu zake zote za ndani kabisa.
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 Agano la uaminifu na udhamini humhifadhi mfalme; kiti chake cha enzi hufanywa thabiti kwa upendo.
Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 Utukufu wa watu vijana ni nguvu zao na fahari ya watu wazee ni mvi zao.
The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 Mapigo yanayoleta kidonda huusafisha ubaya na vichapo hufanya sehemu za ndani kabisa kuwa safi.
Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
