Mithali 24
1 Usiwe na husuda kwa wenye ubaya, wala usitamani kuambatana nao,
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 kwa sababu mioyo yao inapanga njama za vurugu na midomo ya huongea juu ya madhara.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3 Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa na kwa ufahamu huimarishwa.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 Kwa maarifa vyumba hujazwa vitu vyote vya thamani na utajiri wa kupendeza.
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 Shujaa wa hekima ni imara, na mtu wa maarifa huongeza nguvu zake;
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6 maana kwa uongozi wa busara unaweza kufanya vita na kwa washauri wengi kuna ushindi.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.
7 Hekima ipo juu sana kwa mpumbavu; hafumbui kinywa chake kwenye mlango.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 Kuna yule mwenye kupanga kufanya mabaya- watu wanamwita bwana wa njama.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
9 Mipango ya mpumbavu ni dhambi na watu humchukia mwenye dhihaka.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10 Kama utakuwa dhaifu na mwenye kuogopa siku ya taabu, basi nguvu zako ni haba.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
11 Waokoe wanaochukuliwa kwenda kwenye mauti na uwashikilie wale wanaopepesuka kwenda kwa mchinjaji.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
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?
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render 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 thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14 Hekima ndiyo ilivyo katika nafsi yako - kama utaitafuta, tumaini lako halitabatilika na kutakuwa na tumaini.
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15 Usisubiri kwa kuvizia kama waovu ambao hushambulia nyumba ya mwenye haki. Usiiharibu nyumba yake!
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16 Maana mwenye haki huanguka mara saba na kuinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa kwa maafa.
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17 Usisherekee wakati adui yako anapoanguka na wala moyo wako usifurahi anapojikwaa,
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 au Yehova ataona na kutoridhika na kuondoa ghadhabu juu yake.
Lest YHWH see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Usifadhaike kwa sababu ya watenda mabaya, na wala usiwahusudu watu waovu,
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
20 maana mtu mbaya hana matumaini na taa ya watu waovu itazimika.
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21 Mwanangu; mche Yehova, na umwogope mfalme, usishirikiane na watu wenye kuasi dhidi yao,
My son, fear thou YHWH and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22 maana kwa ghafula msiba wao utakuja na ni nani ajuaye ukubwa wa uharibifu utakao kuja kutoka kwa hao wote?
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23 Haya ni maneno ya wenye busara pia. Upendeleo katika kuhukumu kesi kwa sheria si vizuri.
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24 Anayemwambia mwenye hatia, “Wewe upo sawa,” atalaaniwa na watu na mataifa yatamchukia.
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25 Bali wenye kuwakemea waovu watakuwa na furaha na zawadi za wema zitakuja kwao.
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26 Anayetoa jibu la kweli hutoa busu kwenye midomo.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27 Andaa kazi yako ya nje, na tayarisha kila kitu kwa ajili yako mwenyewe shambani; baada ya hapo, jenga nyumba yako.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
28 Usitoe ushahidi dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu na usidanganye kwa midomo yako.
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
29 Usiseme, “Mimi nitamtendea kile alichonitendea; nitalipiza kwa kile alichofanya.”
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
30 Nilikwenda jirani na shamba la mtu mvivu, nikapita kwenye shamba la mzabibu la mtu asiye na akili.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 Miiba imeota kila sehemu, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa kwa upupu, na ukuta wake wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Kisha nikaliona na kufikiria juu yake; nikatazama na kupokea mafundisho.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, kupumzika kwa kukunja mikono kidogo-
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 na umasikini huja kwa kutembea juu yako, na mahitaji yako kama askari mwenye silaha.
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
