Engero 22
1 Erinnya eddungi lyagalibwa okusinga eby’obugagga ebingi, n’okuganja kusinga ffeeza oba zaabu.
A good name is better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
2 Abagagga n’abaavu balina kimu ekibagatta, Mukama ye Mutonzi waabwe bonna.
The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
3 Omuntu omutegeevu bw’alaba akabi yeekweka, naye abatalina magezi bagenda bugenzi mu maaso ne balumizibwa.
The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
4 Obugagga n’ekitiibwa n’obulamu y’empeera ey’okwetoowazanga n’okutyanga Mukama.
The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5 Amaggwa n’emitego biri mu kkubo ly’omubambaavu; naye oyo akuuma emmeeme ye anaabyewalanga.
Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
6 Manyiiriza omwana mu kkubo erimugwanira okutambulirangamu, ne bw’alikula talirivaamu.
The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 Omugagga afuga abaavu, naye eyeewola aba muddu w’oyo amuwola.
The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Asiga obutali butuukirivu akungula mitawaana, n’oluga olw’obusungu bwe lulizikirizibwa.
Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
9 Omuntu omugabi anaabanga n’omukisa, kubanga emmere ye agirya n’abaavu.
Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
10 Goba omunyoomi, entalo zinaagenda, ennyombo n’okuvumagana binaakoma.
Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations and insults will cease.
11 Omuntu eyeegomba omutima omulongoofu era ayogera n’eggonjebwa, talirema kuganja ewa kabaka.
Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Amaaso ga Mukama galabirira amazima, era adibya entegeka z’abatali beesigwa.
The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
13 Omugayaavu ayogera nti, “Ebweru eriyo empologoma,” oba nti, “Nnyinza okutemulirwa mu kkubo.”
The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.”
14 Malaaya mutego gwa kabi, akolimiddwa Mukama mw’afiira.
The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.
15 Obusirusiru busibiddwa ku mutima gw’omwana omuto, naye omuggo ogukangavvula gulimuwonyeza ddala.
Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
16 Omuntu atulugunya abaavu ne yeeyongera okugaggawala, n’oyo agabira omugagga awa abagagga enguzi, enkomerero ya bombi bwavu.
Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
17 Ossangayo omwoyo okuwuliriza ebigambo by’omugezi, n’omutima gwo eri ebyo bye njigiriza.
Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
18 Kibeera kya ssanyu bw’obikwata ku mutima gwo, n’oba mwetegefu okubiddamu byonna.
It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,
19 Mbikumanyisa leero ggwe, obwesige bwo bubeerenga mu Mukama.
so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
20 Kale sikuwandiikidde ebintu amakumi asatu ebikuwabula era ebikuwa okumanya?
Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,
21 Sikulaze ekirungi n’ekituufu, olyoke obe n’eky’okuddamu eri oyo eyakutuma?
so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.
22 Tonyaganga mwavu, kubanga mwavu, oba okutulugunyanga aleeteddwa mu mbuga.
Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.
23 Kubanga Mukama alibawolereza, n’abo ababanyaga alibanyaga.
For the Lord will judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
24 Tokwananga muntu wa busungu, oba okuyitanga n’omuntu anyiiganyiiga amangu,
Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
25 oleme okuyiga amakubo ge ne weesuula mu mitawaana.
lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
26 Teweegattanga ku abo abeeyama, newaakubadde ku abo abeeyimirira ab’amabanja.
Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.
27 Bw’oliba nga tolina kya kusasula ekitanda kyo kyennyini kye kirikuggyibwako.
For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
28 Tojjululanga nsalo bajjajjaabo gye bassaawo edda.
Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
29 Omanyi omuntu omunyiikivu era omukugu mu mulimu gwe? Aliweereza bakabaka; taliweereza bantu batamanyiddwa.
Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
