Ecclesiastes 10
1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to stink [and] ferment; [so] a little folly is weightier than wisdom [and] honour.
Kama nzi walio kufa husababisha manukato kutoa harufu ya uozo, hivyo hivyo upumbavu kidogo hushinda hekima na heshima.
2 The heart of a wise [man] is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left.
Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huelekea kulia, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.
3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his sense faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Wakati mpumbavu anapotembea barabarani, fikira zake zina upungufu, ikithibitisha kwa kila mtu kwamba ni mpumbavu.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for quietness pacifieth great offences.
Kama jaziba za mtawala zikiinuka kinyume na wewe, usiache kazi yako. Utulivu unaweza kutuliza ukatili mkubwa.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error [that] proceedeth from the ruler:
Kuna uovu niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa ambalo huja kutoka kwa mtawala:
6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place.
Wapumbavu wanapewa nafasi za uongozi, wakati watu walio faulu wanapewa nafasi za chini.
7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Nimewaona watumwa wakipanda farasi, na watu walio faulu wakitembea kama watumwa juu ya ardhi.
8 He that diggeth a pit falleth into it; and whoso breaketh down a hedge, a serpent biteth him.
Yeyote anayechimba shimo anaweza kutumbukia yake, na popote mtu anayevunja ukuja, nyoka anaweza kumuuma.
9 Whoso removeth stones is hurt therewith; he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
Yeyote achongaye mwawe, anaweza kuumizwa nayo. Na mtu achongaye mbao, anaweza kujihatarisha kwa hiyo.
10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he apply more strength; but wisdom is profitable to give success.
Kama chuma bapa kisicho na makali, na mtu hainoi, kisha ni lazima atumie nguvu nyingi, lakini hekima hutoa faida kwa ufaulu.
11 If the serpent bite before enchantment, then the charmer hath no advantage.
Kama nyoka akiuma kabla hajafurahi, hivyo hakuna faida kwa mfurahishaji.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu mwenye hekima yana huruma. Lakini midomo ya mpumbavu humumeza mwenyewe.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Kama maneno yanavyo anza kutiririka mdomoni mwa mpumbavu, ujinga hutoka, na mwisho mdomo wake hutiririka wazimu mbaya.
14 And the fool multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and what shall be after him, who will tell him?
Mpumbavu huongeza maneno, lakini hakuna ajuaye kinachokuja. Ni nani ajuaye baada yake?
15 The labour of fools wearieth them, because they know not how to go to the city.
Jasho la wapumbavu huwavaa wao, hivyo hawajui hata barabara ya kwenda mjini.
16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Ole wako ardhi kama mfalme wako ni kijana mdogo, na kama viongozi wako huanza karamu ahsubuhi!
17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a son of nobles, and thy princes eat in [due] season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Lakini umebarikiwa ardhi kama mfalme wako ni mwana wa waungwana, na kama vingozi wako hula wakati muafaka, kwa nguvu, na sio kwa ulevi.
18 By much sloth fulness the framework falleth in; and through idleness of the hands the house drippeth.
Kwa sababu ya uvivu paa huanguka. Na kwa sababu isiyo fanya kazi nyumba hupata ufa.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
Watu huandaa chakula kwa kicheko, divai huleta furaha maishani, na fedha hutimiza hitaji kwa kila kitu.
20 Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.
Usimlaani mfalme, hata katika akili, na usiwalaani wenye mali katika chumba chako cha kulala. Kwa kuwa ndege wa angani inaweza kuchukua maneno yako. Chochote kilicho na mabawa kinaweza kusambaza jambo.
