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 transcribed.
2 Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali utukufu wa wafalme kutafiti juu ya jambo.
The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
3 Kama mbingu ni kwa kimo na dunia ni kwa kina, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa wafalme hauchunguziki.
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart 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 there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
5 Pamoja na hayo, waondoe watu waovu mbele ya mfalme na kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
6 Usijitukuze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme na usisimame katika sehemu iliyoteuliwa kwa watu wakuu.
Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
7 Ni bora yeye akuambie, “Njoo hapa” kuliko wewe kujiaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
For better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
8 Usiharakishe kufanya kuhukumu, kwa kile ulichokishuhudia. Maana utafanya nini mwishoni, wakati jirani yako atakapokuaibisha?
Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter 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,
Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
10 au vinginevyo anayekusikia ataleta aibu juu yako na taarifa mbaya juu yako haiwezi kunyamazishwa.
Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
11 Kunena maneno yenye kuchaguliwa vizuri, ni kama nakshi za dhahabu iliyoungwa kwenye fedha.
Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12 Kama pete ya dhahabu au kito kilichotengenezwa kwa dhahabu safi ndivyo lilivyo karipio la busara kwenye sikio linalosikia.
A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing 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 day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
14 Kama mawingu na upepo bila mvua ndivyo alivyo mwenye kujisifu kuhusu zawadi asiyoitoa.
Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15 Kwa uvumilivu mtawala anaweza kushawishiwa na ulimi raini unaweza kuvunja mfupa.
By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
16 Kama utapata asali, kula ya kutosha- vingenevyo, ukila nyingi sana, utaitapika.
Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
17 Usiweke mguu wako kwenye nyumba ya jirani yako mara nyingi, anaweza kuchoshwa nawe na kukuchukia.
Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —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 hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19 Kumtumaini mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu ni kama jino bovu au mguu unaoteleza.
A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
20 Kama mtu anayevua nguo katika hali ya baridi, au kama siki iliyotiwa kwenye magadi, ndivyo alivyo anayeimba wimbo kwa mwenye moyo mzito.
As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale na kama ana kiu, mpe maji ya kunywa,
If he that hateth thee hunger, 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, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
23 Ni hakika upepo wa kaskazini huleta mvua, ndivyo mtu anayesema siri hufanya sura zikasirike.
A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
24 Ni bora kuishi kwenye pembe ya darini kuliko kuchangia nyumba pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25 Kama maji ya baridi kwa mwenye kiu, ndivyo ilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
26 Kama chemchemi iliyochafuliwa au kisima kilichoharibiwa ndivyo alivyo mtu mwema ambaye huyumbayumba mbele ya watu waovu.
A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27 Si vema kula asali nyingi mno; hivyo ni kama kutafuta heshima baada heshima.
To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
28 Mtu bila kujitawala ni kama mji ulibomolewa na usiokuwa na kuta.
A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
