Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips, and unwise.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of a man supplanteth his seeps: and he fretteth in his mind against God.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence shall find good things.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
The learning of a man is known by patience and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an 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 own soul: but he that neglecteth his own way, shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away he shall add another thing.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in fulness without being visited with evil.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
The wicked man being; scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man he will understand discipline.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.
