More Proverbs of Solomon
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8do not bring25:7,8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11Like apples25:11 Or possibly apricots of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
Mithali Zaidi Za Solomoni
125:1 1Fal 4:32Hizi ni mithali zaidi za Solomoni, zilizonakiliwa na watu wa Hezekia mfalme wa Yuda:
225:2 Kum 29:29; Rum 11:33; Mit 10:10-15Ni Utukufu wa Mungu kuficha jambo,
bali ni utukufu wa wafalme kuchunguza jambo.
3Kama mbingu zilivyo juu na nchi ilivyo chini,
ndivyo ambavyo mioyo ya wafalme haichunguziki.
425:4 2Tim 2:21Ondoa takataka kwenye madini ya fedha,
nako ndani yake kutatokea chombo
cha mfua fedha.
525:5 2Sam 7:13; Mit 20:8; 29:14Ondoa waovu mbele ya mfalme,
nacho kiti chake cha enzi
kitaimarishwa kwa njia ya haki.
6Usijikweze mwenyewe mbele ya mfalme,
wala usidai nafasi miongoni mwa watu wakuu;
725:7 Lk 14:7-10ni afadhali yeye akuambie, “Njoo huku juu,”
kuliko yeye kukuaibisha mbele ya mkuu.
Kile ulichokiona kwa macho yako
825:8 Mit 17:14; Mt 5:25-26usiharakishe kukipeleka mahakamani,
maana utafanya nini mwishoni
kama jirani yako atakuaibisha?
925:9 Mt 5:25; 18:15Kama ukifanya shauri na jirani yako,
usisaliti siri ya mtu mwingine,
10ama yeye aisikiaye aweza kukuaibisha
na kamwe sifa yako mbaya haitaondoka.
1125:11 Mit 15:23; Isa 50:4Neno lisemwalo kwa wakati ufaao
ni kama matunda ya mtofaa ya dhahabu
yaliyowekwa kwenye vijalizo vya fedha.
1225:12 Za 141:5; Mit 15:31Kama vile kipuli cha dhahabu
au pambo la dhahabu safi,
ndivyo lilivyo karipio la mtu mwenye hekima
kwa sikio lisikilizalo.
1325:13 Mit 13:17; 10:26Kama vile ubaridi wa theluji wakati wa mavuno
ndivyo alivyo mjumbe mwaminifu kwa wale wamtumao,
huburudisha roho za bwana zake.
1425:14 Mit 20:6; Yud 12Kama vile mawingu na upepo pasipo mvua
ndivyo alivyo mtu ajisifuye kwa zawadi ambazo hatoi.
1525:15 Mhu 10:4; Mit 15:1; Mwa 32:4; 1Sam 25:24Kwa njia ya uvumilivu mtawala aweza kushawishiwa,
nao ulimi laini waweza kuvunja mfupa.
1625:16 Mit 25:27Ukipata asali, kula kiasi tu cha kukutosha,
ukila zaidi, utatapika.
17Ingiza mguu wako nyumbani kwa jirani yako mara chache,
ukizidisha, atakukinai na atakuchukia.
1825:18 Za 57:4; Mit 12:18Kama vile rungu au upanga au mshale mkali
ndivyo alivyo mtu atoaye ushuhuda wa uongo dhidi ya jirani yake.
1925:19 Ay 6:14-20; 2Tim 4:16Kama vile jino bovu au mguu uliolemaa,
ndivyo ilivyo kumtegemea mtu asiye mwaminifu wakati wa shida.
2025:20 Dan 6:18; Rum 12:15Kama vile avuaye mavazi siku ya baridi,
au kama siki iliyomwagwa juu ya magadi,
ndivyo alivyo yeye amuimbiaye nyimbo mtu mwenye moyo mzito.
2125:21 Kut 23:4; Mt 5:44; Rum 12:20Kama adui yako ana njaa, mpe chakula ale;
kama ana kiu, mpe maji anywe.
2225:22 2Sam 16:22; Mt 5:44; Za 18:8Kwa kufanya hivyo, unaweka makaa ya moto yanayowaka kichwani pake,
naye Bwana atakupa thawabu.
2325:23 Ay 37:22; Za 105:5Kama vile upepo wa kaskazini uletavyo mvua,
ndivyo ulimi usingiziao uletavyo uso wa hasira.
2425:24 Mit 19:13; 21:9, 19Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba,
kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
25Kama vile maji baridi kwa nafsi iliyochoka
ndivyo zilivyo habari njema kutoka nchi ya mbali.
2625:26 Mik 7:8Kama vile chemchemi iliyotibuliwa matope au
kisima kilichotiwa taka
ndivyo alivyo mtu mwenye haki
akishiriki na waovu.
2725:27 Mit 27:2; Mt 23:12; Lk 14:11Si vyema kula asali nyingi sana,
wala si heshima
kujitafutia heshima yako mwenyewe.
2825:28 Mit 16:32Kama vile mji ambao kuta zake zimebomoka
ndivyo alivyo mtu
ambaye hawezi kujitawala mwenyewe.
