Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is the poor that walks 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 the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastes with his feet sins.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The foolishness of man perverts his way: and his heart frets against the LORD.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many will implore the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are lacking to him.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that gets wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Delight is not suitable for a fool; 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 defers his 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 wrath 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 riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casts 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 keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He that has pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he has given will he pay him again.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying.
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 you deliver him, yet you must do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
The desire 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 the LORD tends to life: and he that has it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Strike a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to go astray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours 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 fools.
