Mithali 25
1 Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo, bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini, ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha, nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo cha mfua fedha.
Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme, nacho kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme, wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7 ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,” kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu. Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8 usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani, maana utafanya nini mwishoni kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.
9 Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako, usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.
11 Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu au pambo la dhahabu safi, ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13 Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao, huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.
14 Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa, nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha, ukila zaidi, utatapika.
You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache, ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa, ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20 Kama vile avuaye mavazi siku ya baridi, au kama siki iliyomwagwa juu ya magadi, ndivyo alivyo yeye amuimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito.
and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart.
21 Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale; kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake, naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua, ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25 Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au kisima kilichotiwa taka ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki akishiriki na waovu.
The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana, wala si heshima kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka ndivyo alivyo mtu ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.
