Proverbs 24
1 Be not you envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Usiwaonee wivu watu waovu, usitamani ushirika nao;
2 For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
kwa maana mioyo yao hupanga mambo ya jeuri, nayo midomo yao husema juu ya kuleta madhara.
3 Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established:
Kwa hekima nyumba hujengwa, nayo kwa njia ya ufahamu huimarishwa
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
kwa njia ya maarifa vyumba vyake hujazwa vitu vya thamani na vya kupendeza.
5 A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.
Mtu mwenye hekima ana uwezo mkubwa, naye mtu mwenye maarifa huongeza nguvu,
6 For by wise counsel you shall make your war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
kwa kufanya vita unahitaji uongozi na kwa ushindi washauri wengi.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate.
Hekima i juu mno kwa mpumbavu, katika kusanyiko langoni hana lolote la kusema.
8 He that devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Yeye apangaye mabaya atajulikana kama mtu wa hila.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Mipango ya upumbavu ni dhambi, watu huchukizwa na mwenye dhihaka.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Ukikata tamaa wakati wa taabu, jinsi gani nguvu zako ni kidogo!
11 If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Okoa wale wanaoongozwa kwenye kifo; wazuie wote wanaojikokota kuelekea machinjoni.
12 If you say, Behold, we knew it not; does not he that ponders the heart consider it? and he that keeps your soul, does not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Kama mkisema, “Lakini hatukujua lolote kuhusu hili,” je, yule apimaye mioyo halitambui hili? Je, yule awalindaye maisha yenu halijui hili? Je, hatamlipa kila mtu kulingana na aliyotenda?
13 My son, eat you honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:
Ule asali mwanangu, kwa kuwa ni nzuri; asali kutoka kwenye sega ni tamu kwa kuonja.
14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul: when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off.
Ujue pia kwamba hekima ni tamu kwa nafsi yako, kama ukiipata, kuna matumaini kwako ya siku zijazo, nalo tumaini lako halitakatiliwa mbali.
15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Usivizie kama haramia afanyavyo ili kuyashambulia makao ya mwenye haki, wala usiyavamie makazi yake,
16 For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Kwa maana ingawa mtu mwenye haki huanguka mara saba, huinuka tena, lakini waovu huangushwa chini na maafa.
17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
Usitazame kwa kufurahia adui yako aangukapo; wakati ajikwaapo, usiruhusu moyo wako ushangilie.
18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Bwana asije akaona na kuchukia akaiondoa ghadhabu yake mbali naye.
19 Fret not yourself because of evil men, neither be you envious at the wicked:
Usikasirike kwa sababu ya watu wabaya wala usiwaonee wivu waovu,
20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
kwa maana mtu mbaya hana tumaini la siku zijazo, nayo taa ya waovu itazimwa.
21 My son, fear you the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
Mwanangu, mche Bwana na mfalme, wala usijiunge na waasi,
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?
kwa maana hao wawili watatuma maangamizi ya ghafula juu yao, naye ni nani ajuaye maafa wawezayo kuleta?
23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Hii pia ni misemo ya wenye hekima: Kuonyesha upendeleo katika hukumu si vyema:
24 He that says to the wicked, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
Yeyote amwambiaye mwenye hatia, “Wewe huna hatia,” Kabila zitamlaani na mataifa yatamkana.
25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come on them.
Bali itakuwa vyema kwa wale watakaowatia hatiani wenye hatia, nazo baraka tele zitawajilia juu yao.
26 Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.
Jawabu la uaminifu ni kama busu la midomoni.
27 Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house.
Maliza kazi zako za nje, nawe uweke mashamba yako tayari, baada ya hayo, jenga nyumba yako.
28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause; and deceive not with your lips.
Usishuhudie dhidi ya jirani yako bila sababu, au kutumia midomo yako kudanganya.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Usiseme, “Nitamtenda kama alivyonitenda mimi; nitamlipiza mtu yule kwa kile alichonitendea.”
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Nilipita karibu na shamba la mvivu, karibu na shamba la mizabibu la mtu asiye na akili,
31 And, see, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
miiba ilikuwa imeota kila mahali, ardhi ilikuwa imefunikwa na magugu, na ukuta wa mawe ulikuwa umebomoka.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked on it, and received instruction.
Nikatafakari moyoni mwangu lile nililoliona, nami nikajifunza somo kutokana na niliyoyaona:
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, bado kukunja mikono kidogo upate kupumzika:
34 So shall your poverty come as one that travels; and your want as an armed man.
hivyo umaskini utakuja juu yako kama mnyangʼanyi, na kupungukiwa kutakujia kama mtu mwenye silaha.
