1
Hizi nazo ni mithali za Sulemani, ambazo watu wa Hezekia, mfalme wa Yuda, walizinakili.
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2
Ni utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo; Bali ni utukufu wa mfalme kuchunguza jambo.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3
Mbingu huenda juu sana, na nchi huenda chini; Lakini mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4
Ondoa takataka katika fedha, Na chombo kitatokea kwa mtakasaji;
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5
Mwondoe asiye haki mbele ya mfalme, Na kiti chake cha enzi kitathibitika katika haki.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Usijitukuze mbele ya uso wa mfalme; Wala usisimame mahali pa watu wakuu;
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7
Kwa maana ni heri kuambiwa, Njoo huku mbele; Kuliko kuwekwa nyuma machoni pa mkuu. Yale uliyoyaona kwa macho,
for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8
Usitoke nje kwa haraka ili kuyashindania; Usije ukakosa kujua la kutenda hatimaye, Mwenzako atakapokuwa amekuaibisha.
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9
Ujitetee na mwenzako peke yake; Bali usiifunue siri ya mtu mwingine;
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10
Yeye asikiaye asije akakutukana; Na aibu yako isiondoke.
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away.
11
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.
12
Kipuli cha dhahabu, na pambo la dhahabu safi; Ndivyo alivyo mwonyaji mwenye hekima kwa sikio lisikialo.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13
Kama baridi ya theluji wakati wa mavuno; Ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwao wamtumao; Kwa maana huwaburudisha bwana zake nafsi zao.
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14
Kama mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua; Ndivyo alivyo yeye ajisifiaye karama kwa uongo.
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15
Kwa uvumilivu mwingi mkuu husadikishwa; Na ulimi laini huvunja mfupa.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16
Je! Umeona asali? Kula kadiri ya kukutosha; Usije ukashiba na kuitapika.
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17
Mguu wako usiingie katika nyumba ya jirani yako ila kwa kiasi; Asije akakukinai na kukuchukia.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18
Mtu amshuhudiaye jirani yake uongo Ni nyundo, na upanga, na mshale mkali.
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19
Kumtumaini asiye mwaminifu wakati wa taabu Ni kama jino lililovunjika, au mguu ulioteguka.
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20
Amwimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito, Ni kama yeye avuaye nguo wakati wa baridi; Ni kama siki juu ya magadi.
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21
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, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22
Maana utatia makaa ya moto kichwani pake; Na Bwana atakupa thawabu.
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23
Upepo wa kusi huleta mvua; Vile vile asingiziaye huleta uso wa ghadhabu.
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24
Ni afadhali kukaa katika pembe ya darini, Kuliko katika nyumba pana pamoja na mwanamke mgomvi.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25
Kama vile maji ya baridi kwa mtu mwenye kiu, Ndivyo ilivyo habari njema itokayo katika nchi ya mbali.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26
Mwenye haki amwangukiapo mtu mbaya Ni kama chemchemi iliyochafuka, Na kisima kilichokanyagwa.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27
Haifai kula asali nyingi mno; Vile vile mtu kutafuta utukufu wake mwenyewe si utukufu.
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28
Asiyetawala roho yake Ni mfano wa mji uliobomolewa, usio na kuta.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.