Proverbs 22
1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
2 Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
3 The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
4 The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.
Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
7 The rich rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
8 Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
9 The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to the poor.
Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
10 Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
11 Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] his friend.
Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
12 The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
13 The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
16 He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
17 Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart to my knowledge,
Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
18 For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
19 That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even you.
Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
20 Have I not written to you three times With counsels and knowledge?
Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
21 To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
22 Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
23 For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
24 Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
25 Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your soul.
la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
26 Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
27 If you have nothing to pay, Why does he take your bed from under you?
Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
28 Do not remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
29 Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!
Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
