Mithali 27
1 Usijisifu kwa ajili ya kesho, maana hujui siku italeta nini.
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Mtu mwingine akusifu na wala si kinywa chako mwenyewe, mgeni na wala si midomo yako mwenyewe.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 Fikiria uzito wa jiwe na uzito wa mchanga- uchokozi wa mpumbavu ni mzito zaidi kuliko hivyo vyote.
A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both.
4 Kuna ukatili wenye ghadhabu kali na mafuriko ya hasira, lakini ni nani anayeweza kusimama mbele ya wivu?
Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?
5 Ni bora karipio la wazi kuliko upendo uliofichwa.
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
6 Mwaminifu ni jeraha zilizosababishwa na rafiki, lakini adui anaweza kukubusu kwa kuomba radhi mno.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 Mtu aliyekula na kushiba hulikataa hata sega la asali, bali kwa mtu mwenye njaa, kila kitu kichungu ni kitamu.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Ndege anayezurura kutoka kwenye kiota chake ni kama mtu anayepotea sehemu ambayo anaishi.
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
9 Pafumu na manukato huufanya moyo ufurahi, lakini utamu wa rafiki ni bora kuliko ushauri wake.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
10 Usimwache rafiki yako na rafiki wa baba yako, na usiende kwenye nyumba ya ndugu yako katika siku ya msiba wako. Ni bora rafiki ambaye yupo karibu kuliko ndugu ambaye yupo mbali.
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11 Mwanangu, uwe na busara, moyo wangu ufurahi; kisha nitamjibu yule anayenidhihaki.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.
12 Mtu mwenye busara huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, lakini mjinga huendelea mbele na kuteseka kwa ajili ya taabu.
The prudent see danger and take cover; but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
13 vazi kama mwenyewe anaweka pesa kama dhamana kwa deni la mgeni; lichukue kama anaweka dhamana kwa malaya.
Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
14 Anayempa jirani yake baraka kwa sauti ya juu mapema asubuhi, baraka hiyo itafikiriwa kuwa laana!
If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.
15 Mke mgomvi ni kama siku ya manyunyu ya mvua ya daima;
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—
16 kumzuia ni kama kuuzuia upepo, au kujaribu kushika mafuta kwa mkono wako wa kulia.
restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.
17 Chuma hunoa chuma; kwa njia ile ile; mtu humnoa rafiki yake.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
18 Yule anayeutunza mtini atakula matunda yake, na yule mwenye kumlinda bwana wake ataheshimiwa.
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.
19 Kama maji yanavyoakisi taswira ya sura ya mtu, ndivyo hivyo moyo wa mtu humwaksi mtu.
As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
20 Kama kuzimu na Uharibifu havitosheki, ndivyo yalivyo macho ya mtu hayawezi kutosheka. (Sheol h7585)
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. (Sheol h7585)
21 Kalibu ni kwa fedha na tanuru ni kwa dhahabu; na mtu hujaribiwa anaposifiwa.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.
22 Hata kama utamponda mpumbavu kwa mchI- pamoja na nafaka- bado upumbavu wake hautatoka.
Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Hakikisha unajua hali ya makundi yako na ujishughulishe juu ya makundi yako,
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
24 maana utajiri haudumu daima. Je taji hudumu kwa vizazi vyote?
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
25 Majani huondoka na ukuaji mpya huonekana na milima ya chakula cha mifugo hukusanywa ndani.
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
26 Wanakondoo watakupatia mavazi yako na mbuzi watakupatia gharama ya shamba.
the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.
27 Kutakuwa na maziwa ya mbuzi kwa chakula chako- chakula kwa kaya yako- na chakula kwa watumishi wako wasichana.
You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.
