Proverbs 22
1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
8 He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works.
Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
9 He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.
Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
17 Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
18 that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.
kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
19 That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
20 And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
21 I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.
kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.
Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
25 lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
28 Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
29 It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
