Hizi nazo ni mithali za Sulemani, ambazo watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda, walizinakili.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo; Bali ni utukufu wa mfalme kuchunguza jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Mbingu huenda juu sana, na nchi huenda chini; Lakini mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Ondoa takataka katika fedha, Na chombo kitatokea kwa mtakasaji;
Take away the dross from the silver, And material comes out for the refiner;
Mwondoe asiye haki mbele ya mfalme, Na kiti chake cha enzi kitathibitika katika haki.
Take away the wicked from the king's presence, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
Usijitukuze mbele ya uso wa mfalme; Wala usisimame mahali pa watu wakuu;
Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, Or claim a place among great men;
Kwa maana ni heri kuambiwa, Njoo huku mbele; Kuliko kuwekwa nyuma machoni pa mkuu. Yale uliyoyaona kwa macho,
For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
Usitoke nje kwa haraka ili kuyashindania; Usije ukakosa kujua la kutenda hatimaye, Mwenzako atakapokuwa amekuaibisha.
Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Ujitetee na mwenzako peke yake; Bali usiifunue siri ya mtu mwingine;
Debate your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another;
Yeye asikiaye asije akakutukana; Na aibu yako isiondoke.
Lest one who hears it put you to shame, And your bad reputation never depart.
Neno linenwalo wakati wa kufaa, Ni kama machungwa katika vyano vya fedha.
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Kipuli cha dhahabu, na pambo la dhahabu safi; Ndivyo alivyo mwonyaji mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikialo.
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Kama baridi ya theluji wakati wa mavuno; Ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwao wamtumao; Kwa maana huwaburudisha bwana zake nafsi zao.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to those who send him; For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Kama mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua; Ndivyo alivyo yeye ajisifiaye karama kwa uongo.
As clouds and wind without rain, So is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
Kwa uvumilivu mwingi mkuu husadikishwa; Na ulimi laini huvunja mfupa.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Je! Umeona asali? Kula kadiri ya kukutosha; Usije ukashiba na kuitapika.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, Lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
Mguu wako usiingie katika nyumba ya jirani yako ila kwa kiasi; Asije akakukinai na kukuchukia.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Mtu amshuhudiaye jirani yake uongo Ni nyundo, na upanga, na mshale mkali.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Kumtumaini asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu Ni kama jino lililovunjika, au mguu ulioteguka.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
Amwimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito, Ni kama yeye avuaye nguo wakati wa baridi; Ni kama siki juu ya magadi.
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, Or vinegar on soda, So is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Adui yako akiwa ana njaa, mpe chakula; Tena akiwa ana kiu, mpe maji ya kunywa;
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
Maana utatia makaa ya moto kichwani pake; Na Bwana atakupa thawabu.
For you will heap coals of fire on his head, And Yahweh will reward you.
Upepo wa kusi huleta mvua; Vile vile asingiziaye huleta uso wa ghadhabu.
The north wind brings forth rain: So a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
Ni afadhali kukaa katika pembe ya darini, Kuliko katika nyumba pana pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Kama vile maji ya baridi kwa mtu mwenye kiu, Ndivyo ilivyo habari njema itokayo katika nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
Mwenye haki amwangukiapo mtu mbaya Ni kama chemchemi iliyochafuka, Na kisima kilichokanyagwa.
Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, So is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Haifai kula asali nyingi mno; Vile vile mtu kutafuta utukufu wake mwenyewe si utukufu.
It is not good to eat much honey; Nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Asiyetawala roho yake Ni mfano wa mji uliobomolewa, usio na kuta.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.