Mithali 20
1 Divai ni dhihaka na kinywaji kikali ni mgomvi; anayepotea kwa kunywa hana busara.
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith shell not be wise.
2 Kumwogopa mfalme ni kama kumwogopa simba kijana aungurumaye, yeyote anayemkasirisha hutoa fidia ya maish yake.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
3 Ni heshima kwa mtu yeyote kujiepusha na mafarakano, bali kila mpumbavu hurukia kwenye mabishano.
It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
4 Mtu mvivu halimi majira ya kipupwe; hutafuta mazao wakati wa mavuno lakini hapati kitu.
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5 Makusudi ndani ya moyo wa mtu ni kama maji yenye kina, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu huyateka.
Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
6 Mara nyingi mtu husema yeye ni mwaminifu, lakini ni nani awezaye kumpata yule mwaminifu?
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7 Mtu atendaye haki hutembea katika uaminifu wake na wana wake wanaofuata baada yake wanafuraha.
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
8 Mfalme anayeketi kwenye kiti cha hukumu akifanya kazi za kuhukumu hupembua kwa macho yake mabaya yote yaliyoko mbele yake.
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
9 Nani anayeweza kusema, “Nimeuweka safi moyo wangu; nipo huru na dhambi zangu”?
Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10 Mizani tofauti na vipimo visivyosawa - Yehova huvichukia vyote.
Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11 Hata kijana hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kwa mwenendo wake kama ni safi na uadilifu.
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12 Masikio yanayosikia na macho yanayoona- Yehova aliyafanya yote.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13 Usipende usingizi au utakuwa masikini; fumbua macho yako na utakuwa na vyakula tele.
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
14 “Mbaya! Mbaya!” anasema mnunuzi, lakini akiondoka anajisifu.
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
15 Ipo dhahabu na mawe ya thamani, lakini midomo yenye maarifa ni kito cha thamani.
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
16 Chukua vazi kama mmiliki wake ataweka fedha kama dhamana kwa deni la mgeni, na lichukue kama anaweka dhamana kwa uzinifu.
Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
17 Mkate uliopatikana kwa ulaghai unaladha tamu, lakini baadaye kinywa chake kitajaa kokoto.
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Mipango huimarishwa kwa ushauri na kwa mwongozo wa busara utapigana vita.
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
19 Mmbea hufunua siri na kwa hiyo hupaswi kushirikiana na watu ambao huongea sana.
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20 Kama mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itapulizwa katikati ya giza.
He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
21 Urithi uliopatikana mwanzoni kwa haraka utakuwa na mema kidogo mwishoni.
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
22 Usiseme “Mimi nitakulipiza kwa kosa hili” Msubiri Yehova na yeye atakuokoa.
Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord and he will deliver thee.
23 Yehova huchukia mizani isiyo sawa na vipimo vya udanganyifu si vizuri.
Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Yehova; namna gani basi ataifahamu njia yake?
The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can 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 ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26 Mfalme mwenye busara huwapepeta waovu na huligeuza juu yao gurudumu la kupuria.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
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, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
28 Agano la uaminifu na udhamini humhifadhi mfalme; kiti chake cha enzi hufanywa thabiti kwa upendo.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29 Utukufu wa watu vijana ni nguvu zao na fahari ya watu wazee ni mvi zao.
The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
30 Mapigo yanayoleta kidonda huusafisha ubaya na vichapo hufanya sehemu za ndani kabisa kuwa safi.
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
