1¶ He whakatauki ano enei na Horomona, he mea tuhi e nga tangata a Hetekia kingi o Hura.
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2¶ Ko to te Atua whakakororia, he hunga mea; ko to nga kingi whakakororia he rapu mea.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3Ko te rangi mo te tiketike, ko te whenua mo te hohonu, a ko te ngakau o nga kingi, te taea te rapu.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4¶ Tahia atu te para i te hiriwa, a ka puta mai he oko ma te kaitahi para:
4Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5Tangohia atu te tangata kino i te aroaro o te kingi, a ka u tona torona i runga i te tika.
5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6¶ Kei whakaputa i a koe ki mua i te aroaro o te kingi, kei tu hoki ki te wahi o nga metararahi.
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7He pai he hoki kia kiia mai ki a koe, Haere mai ki runga nei; i te mea kia whakahokia iho koe ki raro i te aroaro o te rangatira i kitea nei e ou kanohi.
7for 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.
8¶ Kei hohoro te haere ki te ngangare, kei kore e kitea e koe tau e mea ai i tona mutunga iho, ina meinga koe e tou hoa kia whakama.
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Tohea tau tohe ki tou hoa tonu, a kaua e whakina te mea hunga a tetahi:
9Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another;
10Kei kohukohutia koe e te tangata i rongo, a kore ake tou ingoa kino e tahuri atu.
10lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11¶ He kupu i tika te korero, ko tona rite kei nga a poro koura i roto i nga kete hiriwa.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12He pera i te whakakai koura, i te whakapaipai koura parakore koia ano te ako a te whakaaro nui ki te taringa rongo.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13¶ Rite tonu ki te matao o te hukarere i te kotinga witi te karere pono ki ona kaingare; ka ora hoki i a ia te ngakau o ona ariki.
13As 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.
14¶ He pera i nga kapua me te hau uakore, koia ano te rite o te tangata e whakamanamana ana ki ana hakari horihori.
14As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15¶ Ma te roa e whakamanawanui ana ka whakaae mai ai te kingi, a ma te arero ngawarika mangungu ai te wheua.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16¶ Kua kitea e koe he honi? Kainga ko te wahi e makona ai koe; kei ki rawa koe i taua mea, ka ruakina e koe.
16Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17¶ Kia takitahi tou waewae ki te whare o tou hoa; kei hoha ia ki a koe, a ka kino ki a koe.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18¶ Ko te tangata e whakaatu teka ana mo tona hoa, he patu ia, he hoari, a he pere koi.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19¶ Ko te whakawhirinaki ki te tangata tinihanga i te wa o te raru, e rite ana ki te niho whati, ki te waewae kua takoki.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20¶ Ko te tangata e waiata ana ki te ngakau pouri, e rite ana ki te tangata e whakarere ana i te kakahu i te rangi maeke, ki te winika hoki i runga i te houra.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21¶ Ki te matekai tou hoariri whangaia ki te taro; ki te matewai whakainumia ki te wai;
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22Ka purangatia hoki e koe he waro kapura ki tona mahunga, a ka utua tau e Ihowa.
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23¶ E mauria ana mai e te hauraro he ua: e peratia ana hoki e te arero ngautuara, he kanohi pukuriri.
23The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24¶ He pai ke te noho i te kokonga o te tuanui, i te noho tahi me te wahine ngangare i roto i te whare mahorahora.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25¶ He rongo pai no te whenua tawhiti, tona rite kei nga wai matao ki te wairua matewai.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26¶ Me te manawa whenua i takatakahia, me te puna i whakaparuparutia, koia ano te tangata tika e hinga ana i te aroaro o te tangata kino.
26Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27¶ Ehara i te mea pai te kai nui i te honi; waihoki ko a te tangata rapu i to ratou ake kororia ehara i te kororia.
27It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28¶ Ko te tangata e kore nei e pehi i tona wairua, e rite ana ki te pa kua pakaru, kahore ona taiepa.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.