Mithali 25
1 Hizi tena ni mithali za Sulemani, zilinakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda.
These are more proverbs of Solomon, 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, but 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.
Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kutoka kwenye fedha na mfua vyuma anaweza kutumia fedha katika ufundi wake.
Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
5 Pamoja na hayo, waondoe watu waovu mbele ya mfalme na kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
6 Usijitukuze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme na usisimame katika sehemu iliyoteuliwa kwa watu wakuu.
Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
7 Ni bora yeye akuambie, “Njoo hapa” kuliko wewe kujiaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,
8 Usiharakishe kufanya kuhukumu, kwa kile ulichokishuhudia. Maana utafanya nini mwishoni, wakati jirani yako atakapokuaibisha?
do not bring quickly to trial. For 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 between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
10 au vinginevyo anayekusikia ataleta aibu juu yako na taarifa mbaya juu yako haiwezi kunyamazishwa.
or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
11 Kunena maneno yenye kuchaguliwa vizuri, ni kama nakshi za dhahabu iliyoungwa kwenye fedha.
Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
12 Kama pete ya dhahabu au kito kilichotengenezwa kwa dhahabu safi ndivyo lilivyo karipio la busara kwenye sikio linalosikia.
A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise 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 at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life of his masters.
14 Kama mawingu na upepo bila mvua ndivyo alivyo mwenye kujisifu kuhusu zawadi asiyoitoa.
Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
15 Kwa uvumilivu mtawala anaweza kushawishiwa na ulimi raini unaweza kuvunja mfupa.
With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 Kama utapata asali, kula ya kutosha- vingenevyo, ukila nyingi sana, utaitapika.
If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
17 Usiweke mguu wako kwenye nyumba ya jirani yako mara nyingi, anaweza kuchoshwa nawe na kukuchukia.
Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
18 Mtu anayetoa ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake ni kama rungu lililotumiwa katika vita, au upanga, au mshale mkali.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Kumtumaini mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu ni kama jino bovu au mguu unaoteleza.
An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Kama mtu anayevua nguo katika hali ya baridi, au kama siki iliyotiwa kwenye magadi, ndivyo alivyo anayeimba wimbo kwa mwenye moyo mzito.
Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the 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 you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
23 Ni hakika upepo wa kaskazini huleta mvua, ndivyo mtu anayesema siri hufanya sura zikasirike.
As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
24 Ni bora kuishi kwenye pembe ya darini kuliko kuchangia nyumba pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
25 Kama maji ya baridi kwa mwenye kiu, ndivyo ilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, 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.
Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
27 Si vema kula asali nyingi mno; hivyo ni kama kutafuta heshima baada heshima.
It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
28 Mtu bila kujitawala ni kama mji ulibomolewa na usiokuwa na kuta.
A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.
