Ecclesiastes 10

1 As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

1 Kama vile nzi waliokufa huacha harufu mbaya kwenye manukato, ndivyo upumbavu kidogo huzidi nguvu hekima na heshima.

2 A wise man’s heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

2 Moyo wa mwenye hekima huelekea kuume, lakini moyo wa mpumbavu huelekea kushoto.

3 Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

3 Hata anapotembea barabarani, mpumbavu hukosa ufahamu na kudhihirisha kwa kila mmoja jinsi alivyo mpumbavu.

4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

4 Kama hasira ya mtawala ikiwaka dhidi yako, usiache mahali pako, utulivu huweza kuzuia makosa mengi.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:

5 Kuna ubaya niliouona chini ya jua, aina ya kosa litokalo kwa mtawala:

6 Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

6 Wapumbavu kuwekwa kwenye nafasi nyingi za juu, wakati matajiri hushika nafasi za chini.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

7 Mimi nimeona watumwa wamepanda farasi, wakati wakuu wakitembea kwa miguu kama watumwa.

8 He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

8 Yeye achimbaye shimo aweza kutumbukia ndani yake, yeyote abomoaye ukuta anaweza kuumwa na nyoka.

9 The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.

9 Yeyote apasuaye mawe inawezekana yakamuumiza, yeyote apasuaye magogo inawezekana yakamuumiza.

10 If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

10 Kama shoka ni butu na halikunolewa, nguvu nyingi zinahitajika, lakini ustadi utaleta mafanikio.

11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

11 Kama nyoka akiuma kabla ya kufanyiwa uaguzi, mwaguzi hatahitajika tena.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

12 Maneno yatokayo kinywani mwa mtu mwenye hekima yana neema, bali mpumbavu huangamizwa na midomo yake mwenyewe.

13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

13 Mwanzoni maneno yake ni upumbavu, mwishoni ni wazimu mbaya,

14 Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

14 naye mpumbavu huzidisha maneno. Hakuna yeyote ajuaye linalokuja, ni nani awezaye kueleza ni jambo gani litakalotokea baada yake?

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

15 Kazi ya mpumbavu humchosha mwenyewe, hajui njia iendayo mjini.

16 Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

16 Ole wako, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako alikuwa mtumwa na ambayo wakuu wako hufanya karamu asubuhi.

17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time—for strength and not for drunkenness.

17 Heri wewe, ee nchi ambayo mfalme wako ni wa uzao wenye kuheshimika na ambayo wakuu wako hula chakula kwa wakati unaofaa: ili kupata nguvu na si kwa ajili ya ulevi.

18 Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.

18 Kama mtu ni mvivu paa la nyumba huinama, kutokana na mikono milegevu, nyumba huvuja.

19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

19 Karamu hufanywa kwa ajili ya kicheko, nao mvinyo hufurahisha maisha, lakini fedha ni jawabu la mambo yote.

20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech.

20 Usimshutumu mfalme hata ikiwa ni katika mawazo yako, au kumlaani tajiri katika chumba chako cha kulala, kwa sababu ndege wa angani wanaweza kuchukua maneno yako, naye ndege anayeruka anaweza kutoa taarifa ya yale uliyosema.