Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
3 If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
10 Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
14 The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
16 If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
21 They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
22 For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
