Proverbs of Solomon
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Hizi nazo ni mithali za Sulemani, ambazo watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda, walizinakili.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo; Bali ni utukufu wa mfalme kuchunguza jambo.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
And the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Mbingu huenda juu sana, na nchi huenda chini; Lakini mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
Ondoa takataka katika fedha, Na chombo kitatokea kwa mtakasaji;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Mwondoe asiye haki mbele ya mfalme, Na kiti chake cha enzi kitathibitika katika haki.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king,
And stand not in the place of great men:
Usijitukuze mbele ya uso wa mfalme; Wala usisimame mahali pa watu wakuu;
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;
Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince
Whom thine eyes have seen.
Kwa maana ni heri kuambiwa, Njoo huku mbele; Kuliko kuwekwa nyuma machoni pa mkuu. Yale uliyoyaona kwa macho,
8 Go not forth hastily to strive,
Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,
When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Usitoke nje kwa haraka ili kuyashindania; Usije ukakosa kujua la kutenda hatimaye, Mwenzako atakapokuwa amekuaibisha.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself ;
And discover not a secret to another:
Ujitetee na mwenzako peke yake; Bali usiifunue siri ya mtu mwingine;
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame,
And thine infamy turn not away.
Yeye asikiaye asije akakutukana; Na aibu yako isiondoke.
11 A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Neno linenwalo wakati wa kufaa, Ni kama machungwa katika vyano vya fedha.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Kipuli cha dhahabu, na pambo la dhahabu safi; Ndivyo alivyo mwonyaji mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikialo.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to them that send him:
For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Kama baridi ya theluji wakati wa mavuno; Ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwao wamtumao; Kwa maana huwaburudisha bwana zake nafsi zao.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift
Is like clouds and wind without rain.
Kama mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua; Ndivyo alivyo yeye ajisifiaye karama kwa uongo.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Kwa uvumilivu mwingi mkuu husadikishwa; Na ulimi laini huvunja mfupa.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee,
Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Je! Umeona asali? Kula kadiri ya kukutosha; Usije ukashiba na kuitapika.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
Lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Mguu wako usiingie katika nyumba ya jirani yako ila kwa kiasi; Asije akakukinai na kukuchukia.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour
Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Mtu amshuhudiaye jirani yake uongo Ni nyundo, na upanga, na mshale mkali.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Kumtumaini asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu Ni kama jino lililovunjika, au mguu ulioteguka.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre,
So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Amwimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito, Ni kama yeye avuaye nguo wakati wa baridi; Ni kama siki juu ya magadi.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Adui yako akiwa ana njaa, mpe chakula; Tena akiwa ana kiu, mpe maji ya kunywa;
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the LORD shall reward thee.
Maana utatia makaa ya moto kichwani pake; Na Bwana atakupa thawabu.
23 The north wind driveth away rain:
So doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Upepo wa kusi huleta mvua; Vile vile asingiziaye huleta uso wa ghadhabu.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
Ni afadhali kukaa katika pembe ya darini, Kuliko katika nyumba pana pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
So is good news from a far country.
Kama vile maji ya baridi kwa mtu mwenye kiu, Ndivyo ilivyo habari njema itokayo katika nchi ya mbali.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked
Is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Mwenye haki amwangukiapo mtu mbaya Ni kama chemchemi iliyochafuka, Na kisima kilichokanyagwa.
27 It is not good to eat much honey:
So for men to search their own glory is not glory.
Haifai kula asali nyingi mno; Vile vile mtu kutafuta utukufu wake mwenyewe si utukufu.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Asiyetawala roho yake Ni mfano wa mji uliobomolewa, usio na kuta.
