Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is the poor man who walketh in his integrity, Than he who is of false lips and a fool.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Moreover, that the soul be without knowledge is not good, And he that hasteth with is feet stumbleth.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of man destroyeth his way, And then his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth maketh many friends; But the poor is separated from his neighbor.
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 are they who caress the noble, And every one is the friend of him who giveth 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 man hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He runneth after their words, —they are gone!
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that getteth wisdom loveth himself; He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
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.
Luxury is not seemly for a fool; Much less should a servant have rule over princes.
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
A man of understanding is slow to anger; Yea, it is his glory to pass over an offence.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; But his favor, like dew upon the grass.
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.
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, And the idle person shall suffer hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his life; But he that neglecteth his ways shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He who hath pity on the poor lendeth to the LORD, And that which he giveth will he repay him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chasten thy son because there is hope, But let not thy soul desire to slay him.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if thou deliver him, yet must thou do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That thou mayst be wise in thy latter years.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many are the devices in the heart of a man; But the purpose of the LORD, that shall 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 better is a poor man than a liar.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of the LORD tendeth to 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!
The slothful man dippeth his hand into the dish: He doth not bring it back even to his mouth.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
Strike the scoffer, and the simple will become prudent; Reprove a man of understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
The son that causeth shame and disgrace doeth violence to his father, And chaseth away his mother.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to listen to the instruction That causeth thee to wander from the words of knowledge!
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
A worthless witness scoffeth at justice, 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.
Punishments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
