Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
2 The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
3 The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
4 The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
5 Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
6 If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
7 The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
8 By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
9 He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
10 Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
11 He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
13 The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
15 Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
16 He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
17 Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
18 For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
19 So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
20 Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
21 To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
22 Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
23 For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
24 Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
25 For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
26 Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
27 If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
28 Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
29 Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
