Mithali 6
1 Mwanangu, kama utaweka pesa zako kuwa dhamana kwa mkopo wa jirani yako; kama ukitoa ahadi yako katika mkopo wa mtu usiyemjua,
My son, suppose you have pledged to guarantee your neighbor's debt, or you have shaken hands in agreement with a stranger,
2 basi umejiwekea mtego mwenyewe na umenaswa kwa maneno ya kinywa chako.
then you've trapped yourself by what you promised, you've been caught by what you said.
3 Mwanagu, ukinaswa kwa maneno yako mwenyewe, fanya haya ili kujiokoa, kwa kuwa umeangukia kwenye mikono ya jirani yako; nenda unyenyekee na ufanye shauri mbele ya jirani yako.
So this is what you have to do. You need to get out of it, because you've put yourself in that person's power. Go to your neighbor in all humility and ask him to release you from the commitment.
4 Usiruhusu usingizi katika macho yako wala kope za macho yako kusinzia.
Don't delay, saying that you'll sleep on it. Don't rest until you've done it.
5 Jiokoe mwenyewe kama swala kutoka katika mkono wa mwindaji, kama ndege kutoka katika mkono wa mwinda ndege.
Get out of it like a gazelle escaping from a trap, like a bird from a bird-catcher's net.
6 Wewe mtu mvivu, mwangalie mchwa, zitafakari njia zake ili kupata busara.
Go and observe the ants, you slacker! Learn from what they do and become wise.
7 Hana akida, afisa au mtawala,
They don't have a leader, an officer, or a ruler,
8 lakini huandaa chakula chake wakati wa joto na wakati wa mavuno huweka hazina ili kula baadaye.
yet they work hard during the summer getting their food, gathering what they need during the harvest.
9 Ewe mtu mvivu, utalala hata lini? Wakati gani utainuka usingizini?”
So how long are you going to lie there, you slacker? When are you going to get up from your sleep?
10 Lala kidogo, sizia kidogo, kunja mikono kupumzika kidogo” -
You may say, “Please, just a little more sleep, a little longer snooze, a little more folding of the arms to rest”—
11 ndipo umasikini wako utakapokujia kama mporaji na uhitaji wako kama askari wa vita.
and poverty will attack you like a robber, destitution like an armed warrior.
12 Mtu asiyefaa-mtu mwovu- huishi kwa kauli za udanganyifu wake,
Rebellious and wicked people go around telling lies,
13 akipepesa macho yake, akiashilia kwa miguu yake na kusonta kwa videle vyake.
winking slyly, giving sneaky foot gestures, rudely pointing with their fingers.
14 Hufanya njama za uovu kwa hila ya moyo wake; daima huchochea faraka.
Their warped minds plot evil schemes; they're always causing trouble.
15 Kwa hiyo msiba wake utamkumba kwa ghafula, punde atavunjika vibaya wala hatapona.
As a result, disaster falls suddenly on such people; in just a moment they're destroyed without hope of healing.
16 Kuna vitu sita ambavyo Yehova huvichukia, saba ambavyo ni chukizo kwake.
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven things that he absolutely detests:
17 Macho ya mtu mwenye kiburi, ulimi wa uongo, mikono inayomwaga damu ya watu maasumu,
arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that murder the innocent,
18 moyo unaobuni njama mbaya, miguu inayokimbilia maovu upesi,
a mind that plots evil schemes, feet that hurriedly run to do wrong,
19 shahidi asemaye uongo na apandaye faraka kati ya ndugu.
a false witness that speaks lies, those who caused arguments in families.
20 Mwanangu, itii amri ya baba yako na wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
My son, pay attention to your father's instruction, and don't reject your mother's teaching.
21 Uyafunge katika moyo wako siku zote; yafunge kwenye shingo yako.
Keep them always in mind. Tie them around your neck.
22 utembeapo, yatakuongoza; ulalapo yatakulinda, na uamkapo yatakufundisha.
They will lead you as you walk along; they will watch over you as you sleep; when you wake up they will talk with you.
23 Maana amri ni taa, na mafundisho ni nuru; kinga za kuadilisha za njia ya uzima.
For the instruction is a lamp, and the teaching is a light. The correction that comes from discipline is the way to life.
24 Yanakulinda dhidi ya mwanamke malaya, dhidi ya maneno laini ya uzinzi.
It will protect you from an evil woman and the seductive words of a prostitute.
25 Moyoni mwako usiutamani uzuri wake wala usitekwe katika kope zake.
Don't let your mind lust after her beauty, or let her hypnotize you with her fluttering eyelashes.
26 Kulala na malaya inaweza kugharimu bei ya kipande cha mkate, lakini mke wa mtu mwingine inagharimu uzima wako wote.
You can buy a prostitute for the price of a loaf of bread, but adultery with another man's wife can cost you your life.
27 Je mtu anaweza kubeba moto katika kifua chake bila kuuguza mavazi yake?
Can you put fire in your lap and not burn your clothes?
28 Je mtu anaweza kutembea juu ya makaa bila kuchomwa miguu yake?
Can you walk on hot coals and not scorch your feet?
29 Ndivyo alivyo mtu alalaye na mke wa jirani yake; yule alalaye na huyo mke hatakosa adhabu.
It's the same for anyone who sleeps with another man's wife. No one who touches her will remain unpunished.
30 Watu hawawezi kumdharau mwizi kama anaiba ili kukidhi hitaji lake la njaa.
People don't condemn a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he's hungry.
31 Walakini akimatwa, atalipa mara saba ya kile alichoiba; lazima atoe kila kitu cha thamani katika nyumba yake.
But if he's caught, he has to pay back seven times what he stole, even if it means handing over everything he has in his house.
32 Mtu anayefanya uzinzi hana akili; hufanya hiyo kwa uharibifu wake mwenyewe.
Any man who commits adultery with a woman has no sense; he who does so destroys himself.
33 Anasitahili aibu na majeraha na fedheha yake haiwezi kuondolewa.
He will be wounded and dishonored. His disgrace will never be removed.
34 Maana vivu humghadhibisha mtu; hatakuwa na huruma wakati wa kulipa kisasi chake.
For jealousy makes a husband furious, and he won't hold back when he takes revenge.
35 Ujapompa zawadi nyingi, hatakubali mbadala wa kusuruhishwa wala kulipwa.
He refuses any compensation, and won't be paid off, however big the amount.
