Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips—who [is] a fool.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of man perverts his way, And his heart is angry against YHWH.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth adds many friends, And the poor is separated from his neighbor.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness is not acquitted, Whoever breathes out lies is not delivered.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many beg the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of 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 have hated him, Surely his friends have also been far from him, He is pursuing words—they are not!
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
Whoever is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness is not acquitted, And whoever breathes out lies perishes.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
The wisdom of a man has deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And his goodwill as dew on the herb.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A foolish son [is] a calamity to 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] the inheritance of fathers, And an understanding wife [is] from YHWH.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Sloth causes deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul hungers.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
Whoever is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoever is despising His ways dies.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
Whoever is lending [to] YHWH is favoring the poor, And He repays his deed to him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Discipline your son, for there is hope, And do not lift up your soul to put him to death.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For if you deliver, yet again you add.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that you are wise in your latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
The purposes in a man’s heart [are] many, And the counsel of YHWH—it stands.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And the poor [is] better than a liar.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of YHWH [is] to life, And he remains satisfied—he is not charged with evil.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
The slothful has hidden his hand in a dish, Even to his mouth he does not bring it back.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Strike a scorner, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understands knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
Whoever is spoiling a father causes a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction—To err from sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
A worthless witness scorns judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
