Mithali 25
1 Hizi tena ni mithali za Sulemani, zilinakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda.
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali utukufu wa wafalme kutafiti juu ya jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 Kama mbingu ni kwa kimo na dunia ni kwa kina, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa wafalme hauchunguziki.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 Ondoa takataka kutoka kwenye fedha na mfua vyuma anaweza kutumia fedha katika ufundi wake.
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 Pamoja na hayo, waondoe watu waovu mbele ya mfalme na kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Usijitukuze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme na usisimame katika sehemu iliyoteuliwa kwa watu wakuu.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 Ni bora yeye akuambie, “Njoo hapa” kuliko wewe kujiaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8 Usiharakishe kufanya kuhukumu, kwa kile ulichokishuhudia. Maana utafanya nini mwishoni, wakati jirani yako atakapokuaibisha?
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Jitetee kesi yako kati ya jirani yako na wewe na usifunue siri ya mtu mwingine,
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 au vinginevyo anayekusikia ataleta aibu juu yako na taarifa mbaya juu yako haiwezi kunyamazishwa.
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11 Kunena maneno yenye kuchaguliwa vizuri, ni kama nakshi za dhahabu iliyoungwa kwenye fedha.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Kama pete ya dhahabu au kito kilichotengenezwa kwa dhahabu safi ndivyo lilivyo karipio la busara kwenye sikio linalosikia.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13 Kama baridi ya theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wenye kumtuma; huyahifadhi maisha ya mabwana wake.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Kama mawingu na upepo bila mvua ndivyo alivyo mwenye kujisifu kuhusu zawadi asiyoitoa.
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 Kwa uvumilivu mtawala anaweza kushawishiwa na ulimi raini unaweza kuvunja mfupa.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 Kama utapata asali, kula ya kutosha- vingenevyo, ukila nyingi sana, utaitapika.
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 Usiweke mguu wako kwenye nyumba ya jirani yako mara nyingi, anaweza kuchoshwa nawe na kukuchukia.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 Mtu anayetoa ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake ni kama rungu lililotumiwa katika vita, au upanga, au mshale mkali.
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Kumtumaini mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu ni kama jino bovu au mguu unaoteleza.
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 Kama mtu anayevua nguo katika hali ya baridi, au kama siki iliyotiwa kwenye magadi, ndivyo alivyo anayeimba wimbo kwa mwenye moyo mzito.
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale na kama ana kiu, mpe maji ya kunywa,
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 maana utamwekea mkaa juu ya kichwa chake na Yehova atakupa thawabu.
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 Ni hakika upepo wa kaskazini huleta mvua, ndivyo mtu anayesema siri hufanya sura zikasirike.
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 Ni bora kuishi kwenye pembe ya darini kuliko kuchangia nyumba pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Kama maji ya baridi kwa mwenye kiu, ndivyo ilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 Kama chemchemi iliyochafuliwa au kisima kilichoharibiwa ndivyo alivyo mtu mwema ambaye huyumbayumba mbele ya watu waovu.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 Si vema kula asali nyingi mno; hivyo ni kama kutafuta heshima baada heshima.
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 Mtu bila kujitawala ni kama mji ulibomolewa na usiokuwa na kuta.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
