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.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kutoka kwenye fedha na mfua vyuma anaweza kutumia fedha katika ufundi wake.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Pamoja na hayo, waondoe watu waovu mbele ya mfalme na kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa kutenda haki.
Take away 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.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 Ni bora yeye akuambie, “Njoo hapa” kuliko wewe kujiaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Usiharakishe kufanya kuhukumu, kwa kile ulichokishuhudia. Maana utafanya nini mwishoni, wakati jirani yako atakapokuaibisha?
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Jitetee kesi yako kati ya jirani yako na wewe na usifunue siri ya mtu mwingine,
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 au vinginevyo anayekusikia ataleta aibu juu yako na taarifa mbaya juu yako haiwezi kunyamazishwa.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
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.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to 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 those who send him; for he refreshes 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 who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 Kwa uvumilivu mtawala anaweza kushawishiwa na ulimi raini unaweza kuvunja mfupa.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Kama utapata asali, kula ya kutosha- vingenevyo, ukila nyingi sana, utaitapika.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Usiweke mguu wako kwenye nyumba ya jirani yako mara nyingi, anaweza kuchoshwa nawe na kukuchukia.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary 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 gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Kumtumaini mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu ni kama jino bovu au mguu unaoteleza.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
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 who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so 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. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 maana utamwekea mkaa juu ya kichwa chake na Yehova atakupa thawabu.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 Ni hakika upepo wa kaskazini huleta mvua, ndivyo mtu anayesema siri hufanya sura zikasirike.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 Ni bora kuishi kwenye pembe ya darini kuliko kuchangia nyumba pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Kama maji ya baridi kwa mwenye kiu, ndivyo ilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water 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.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives 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, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Mtu bila kujitawala ni kama mji ulibomolewa na usiokuwa na kuta.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
