Mithali 24
1 Usiwe na husuda kwa wenye ubaya, wala usitamani kuambatana nao,
[My] son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
2 kwa sababu mioyo yao inapanga njama za vurugu na midomo ya huongea juu ya madhara.
For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.
3 Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa na kwa ufahamu huimarishwa.
A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
4 Kwa maarifa vyumba hujazwa vitu vyote vya thamani na utajiri wa kupendeza.
By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.
5 Shujaa wa hekima ni imara, na mtu wa maarifa huongeza nguvu zake;
A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.
6 maana kwa uongozi wa busara unaweza kufanya vita na kwa washauri wengi kuna ushindi.
War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.
7 Hekima ipo juu sana kwa mpumbavu; hafumbui kinywa chake kwenye mlango.
Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,
8 Kuna yule mwenye kupanga kufanya mabaya- watu wanamwita bwana wa njama.
but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed [men].
9 Mipango ya mpumbavu ni dhambi na watu humchukia mwenye dhihaka.
The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness [attaches] to a pestilent man.
10 Kama utakuwa dhaifu na mwenye kuogopa siku ya taabu, basi nguvu zako ni haba.
He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.
11 Waokoe wanaochukuliwa kwenda kwenye mauti na uwashikilie wale wanaopepesuka kwenda kwa mchinjaji.
Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not [your help].
12 Kama utasema, “Tazama, hatujui chochote juu ya hili,” je yule anayepima mioyo hajui unachosema? Na yule anayelinda maisha yako, je hajui? Je Mungu hatampa kila mmoja kile anachostahili?
But if you should say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
13 Mwanangu, kula asali kwa kuwa ni nzuri, kwa sababu matone ya sega la asali ni matamu unapoonja.
[My] son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that your throat may be sweetened.
14 Hekima ndiyo ilivyo katika nafsi yako - kama utaitafuta, tumaini lako halitabatilika na kutakuwa na tumaini.
Thus shall you perceive wisdom in your soul: for if you find it, your end shall be good, and hope shall not fail you.
15 Usisubiri kwa kuvizia kama waovu ambao hushambulia nyumba ya mwenye haki. Usiiharibu nyumba yake!
Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
16 Maana mwenye haki huanguka mara saba na kuinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa kwa maafa.
For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise [again]: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
17 Usisherekee wakati adui yako anapoanguka na wala moyo wako usifurahi anapojikwaa,
If your enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.
18 au Yehova ataona na kutoridhika na kuondoa ghadhabu juu yake.
For the Lord will see [it], and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.
19 Usifadhaike kwa sababu ya watenda mabaya, na wala usiwahusudu watu waovu,
Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
20 maana mtu mbaya hana matumaini na taa ya watu waovu itazimika.
For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Mwanangu; mche Yehova, na umwogope mfalme, usishirikiane na watu wenye kuasi dhidi yao,
[My] son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.
22 maana kwa ghafula msiba wao utakuja na ni nani ajuaye ukubwa wa uharibifu utakao kuja kutoka kwa hao wote?
For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance [inflicted] by both?
23 Haya ni maneno ya wenye busara pia. Upendeleo katika kuhukumu kesi kwa sheria si vizuri.
And this thing I say to you that are wise [for you] to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgement.
24 Anayemwambia mwenye hatia, “Wewe upo sawa,” atalaaniwa na watu na mataifa yatamchukia.
He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful amongst the nations.
25 Bali wenye kuwakemea waovu watakuwa na furaha na zawadi za wema zitakuja kwao.
But they that reprove [him] shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;
26 Anayetoa jibu la kweli hutoa busu kwenye midomo.
and [men] will kiss lips that answer well.
27 Andaa kazi yako ya nje, na tayarisha kila kitu kwa ajili yako mwenyewe shambani; baada ya hapo, jenga nyumba yako.
Prepare your works for [your] going forth, and prepare yourself for the field; and come after me, and you shall rebuild your house.
28 Usitoe ushahidi dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu na usidanganye kwa midomo yako.
Be not a false witness against your [fellow] citizen, neither exaggerate with your lips.
29 Usiseme, “Mimi nitamtendea kile alichonitendea; nitalipiza kwa kile alichofanya.”
Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.
30 Nilikwenda jirani na shamba la mtu mvivu, nikapita kwenye shamba la mzabibu la mtu asiye na akili.
A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.
31 Miiba imeota kila sehemu, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa kwa upupu, na ukuta wake wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
If you let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.
32 Kisha nikaliona na kufikiria juu yake; nikatazama na kupokea mafundisho.
Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.
33 Kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, kupumzika kwa kukunja mikono kidogo-
[The sluggard says, ]I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across [my] breast.
34 na umasikini huja kwa kutembea juu yako, na mahitaji yako kama askari mwenye silaha.
But if you do this, your poverty will come speedily; and your lack like a swift courier.
