Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Jehovah is the maker of them all.
Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
3 The shrewd see danger and take cover, but the naive keep on going and suffer for it.
Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
4 The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is wealth, honor, and life.
Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will fail. God blesses a cheerful and generous person, but the vanity of his deeds he will bring to an end.
Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.
Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
12 The eyes of Jehovah watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets."
Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under Jehovah's wrath will fall into it.
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 child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
17 The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your heart to my instruction.
Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
19 That your trust may be in Jehovah, I teach you today, even you.
Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
22 Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court;
Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
23 for Jehovah will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
24 Do not befriend a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with one who harbors anger:
Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
25 lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
26 Do not be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
27 If you do not have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
28 Do not move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.
Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
