Mithali 25
1 Hizi tena ni mithali za Sulemani, zilinakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali utukufu wa wafalme kutafiti juu ya jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Kama mbingu ni kwa kimo na dunia ni kwa kina, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa wafalme hauchunguziki.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kutoka kwenye fedha na mfua vyuma anaweza kutumia fedha katika ufundi wake.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the finer:
5 Pamoja na hayo, waondoe watu waovu mbele ya mfalme na kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Usijitukuze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme na usisimame katika sehemu iliyoteuliwa kwa watu wakuu.
Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 Ni bora yeye akuambie, “Njoo hapa” kuliko wewe kujiaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Usiharakishe kufanya kuhukumu, kwa kile ulichokishuhudia. Maana utafanya nini mwishoni, wakati jirani yako atakapokuaibisha?
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Jitetee kesi yako kati ya jirani yako na wewe na usifunue siri ya mtu mwingine,
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself], and disclose not the secret of another:
10 au vinginevyo anayekusikia ataleta aibu juu yako na taarifa mbaya juu yako haiwezi kunyamazishwa.
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not 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 baskets of silver.
12 Kama pete ya dhahabu au kito kilichotengenezwa kwa dhahabu safi ndivyo lilivyo karipio la busara kwenye sikio linalosikia.
[As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 Kama baridi ya theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wenye kumtuma; huyahifadhi maisha ya mabwana wake.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Kama mawingu na upepo bila mvua ndivyo alivyo mwenye kujisifu kuhusu zawadi asiyoitoa.
[As] clouds and wind without rain, [so is] he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.
15 Kwa uvumilivu mtawala anaweza kushawishiwa na ulimi raini unaweza kuvunja mfupa.
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Kama utapata asali, kula ya kutosha- vingenevyo, ukila nyingi sana, utaitapika.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Usiweke mguu wako kwenye nyumba ya jirani yako mara nyingi, anaweza kuchoshwa nawe na kukuchukia.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 Mtu anayetoa ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake ni kama rungu lililotumiwa katika vita, au upanga, au mshale mkali.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Kumtumaini mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu ni kama jino bovu au mguu unaoteleza.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Kama mtu anayevua nguo katika hali ya baridi, au kama siki iliyotiwa kwenye magadi, ndivyo alivyo anayeimba wimbo kwa mwenye moyo mzito.
[As] one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale na kama ana kiu, mpe maji ya kunywa,
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 maana utamwekea mkaa juu ya kichwa chake na Yehova atakupa thawabu.
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 Ni hakika upepo wa kaskazini huleta mvua, ndivyo mtu anayesema siri hufanya sura zikasirike.
The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 Ni bora kuishi kwenye pembe ya darini kuliko kuchangia nyumba pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in the comer of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25 Kama maji ya baridi kwa mwenye kiu, ndivyo ilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Kama chemchemi iliyochafuliwa au kisima kilichoharibiwa ndivyo alivyo mtu mwema ambaye huyumbayumba mbele ya watu waovu.
[As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [so is] a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27 Si vema kula asali nyingi mno; hivyo ni kama kutafuta heshima baada heshima.
It is not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search out their own glory is [not] glory.
28 Mtu bila kujitawala ni kama mji ulibomolewa na usiokuwa na kuta.
He whose spirit is without restraint is [like] a city that is broken down and hath no wall.
