Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, who is a fool.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Also in the want of knowledge in the soul there is nothing good; and he that hasteneth with his feet misseth the right path.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of a man perverteth his way, and against the Lord will his heart rage.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth bringeth many friends; but the poor becometh separated from his [only] friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; and every one is the friend to him that bestoweth gifts.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
All the brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do his friends go far away from him! he pursueth [their] promises; but these are [all] that he hath.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that getteth intelligence loveth his own soul: he that guardeth understanding will find happiness.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Delicacy is not seemly 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.
It is intelligence in man to be slow in 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.
Like the roaring of a young lion is the wrath of a king: as dew upon the herbs is his favor.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A calamity unto his father is a foolish son; and a continual dropping are the quarrels of a wife.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but from the Lord [cometh] an intelligent wife.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casteth [man] into a deep sleep; and an indolent soul will suffer hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
He that observeth the commandment guardeth his own soul: but he that disregardeth [directing] his ways [aright] shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He lendeth unto the Lord that is liberal to the poor, and his good deed will he repay unto him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope; and let not thy soul spare [him] for his crying.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man of great fury must suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, thou must still do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, and accept correction, in order that thou mayest 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 a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord alone will stand firm.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
The longing of a man is [to exercise] 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 leadeth unto life: and he [that hath 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!
When a slothful man hath hidden his hand in the dish, then will he not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent; and if one that hath understanding be admonished, he will understand knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that plundereth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that bringeth shame and dishonor.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth [thee] to err from the sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
An ungodly witness scorneth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth mischief.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Punishments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
