Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is a poor [man] that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Also that a person be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet maketh false steps.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of man distorteth his way, and his heart is irritated against Jehovah.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many court the favour of a noble; and every one is friend to a man that giveth.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
All the brethren of a poor [man] hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him: he pursueth [them] with words, — they are not [to be found].
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that getteth sense loveth his own soul; he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be held innocent, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Good living beseemeth not a fool; how much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
The king's displeasure is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; but set not thy soul upon killing him.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many are the thoughts in a man's heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor [man] is better than a liar.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life, and he [that hath it] shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that ruineth [his] father and chaseth away [his] mother is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction which causeth to stray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
A witness of Belial scorneth judgment, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of the foolish.
