Mithali 20
1 Divai ni dhihaka na kinywaji kikali ni mgomvi; anayepotea kwa kunywa hana busara.
Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. 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 roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 Ni heshima kwa mtu yeyote kujiepusha na mafarakano, bali kila mpumbavu hurukia kwenye mabishano.
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4 Mtu mvivu halimi majira ya kipupwe; hutafuta mazao wakati wa mavuno lakini hapati kitu.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Makusudi ndani ya moyo wa mtu ni kama maji yenye kina, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu huyateka.
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Mara nyingi mtu husema yeye ni mwaminifu, lakini ni nani awezaye kumpata yule mwaminifu?
Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 Mtu atendaye haki hutembea katika uaminifu wake na wana wake wanaofuata baada yake wanafuraha.
A righteous man walks in 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 the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Nani anayeweza kusema, “Nimeuweka safi moyo wangu; nipo huru na dhambi zangu”?
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Mizani tofauti na vipimo visivyosawa - Yehova huvichukia vyote.
Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
11 Hata kijana hujulikana kwa matendo yake, kwa mwenendo wake kama ni safi na uadilifu.
Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 Masikio yanayosikia na macho yanayoona- Yehova aliyafanya yote.
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
13 Usipende usingizi au utakuwa masikini; fumbua macho yako na utakuwa na vyakula tele.
Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 “Mbaya! Mbaya!” anasema mnunuzi, lakini akiondoka anajisifu.
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 Ipo dhahabu na mawe ya thamani, lakini midomo yenye maarifa ni kito cha thamani.
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
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 one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Mkate uliopatikana kwa ulaghai unaladha tamu, lakini baadaye kinywa chake kitajaa kokoto.
Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Mipango huimarishwa kwa ushauri na kwa mwongozo wa busara utapigana vita.
Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 Mmbea hufunua siri na kwa hiyo hupaswi kushirikiana na watu ambao huongea sana.
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Kama mtu atamlaani baba yake au mama yake, taa yake itapulizwa katikati ya giza.
Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 Urithi uliopatikana mwanzoni kwa haraka utakuwa na mema kidogo mwishoni.
An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Usiseme “Mimi nitakulipiza kwa kosa hili” Msubiri Yehova na yeye atakuokoa.
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
23 Yehova huchukia mizani isiyo sawa na vipimo vya udanganyifu si vizuri.
Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 Hatua za mtu huongozwa na Yehova; namna gani basi ataifahamu njia yake?
A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his 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 snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 Mfalme mwenye busara huwapepeta waovu na huligeuza juu yao gurudumu la kupuria.
A wise king winnows 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 man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Agano la uaminifu na udhamini humhifadhi mfalme; kiti chake cha enzi hufanywa thabiti kwa upendo.
Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 Utukufu wa watu vijana ni nguvu zao na fahari ya watu wazee ni mvi zao.
The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Mapigo yanayoleta kidonda huusafisha ubaya na vichapo hufanya sehemu za ndani kabisa kuwa safi.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
