Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
