Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is a poor man, walking in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, and, he, a dullard.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
Surely, for the soul to be, without knowledge, is not good, and, he that hasteth with his feet, strayeth.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The folly of a man, subverteth his way, and, against Yahweh, his heart is angry.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth, addeth many friends, but, the poor man, from his own friend, is parted.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness, shall not be held innocent, 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 favour of a noble, and, every one, is a friend to a man abounding in 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 a poor man, hate him, how much more have, his friends, gone far from him, he may hunt up promises—there are none.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that acquireth sense, loveth his own soul, he that guardeth understanding, shall find blessing.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Unseemly for a dullard, is delicate living, how much more for, a servant, to bear rule over princes.
11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.
The discretion of a man, deferreth his anger, and, his adorning, is to pass over transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
The growl as of a young lion, is the rage of a king, but, like dew upon the grass, is his good pleasure.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
Engulfing ruin to his father, is a son that is a dullard, —and, a continuous dripping, are the contentions of a wife.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
House and substance, are an inheritance from one’s fathers, but, from Yahweh, cometh a wife who is prudent.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Sloth, falleth into a deep sleep, and, a soul that is indolent, shall famish.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
One who guardeth the commandment, guardeth his life, he that is reckless in his ways, shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
A lender to Yahweh, is one who sheweth favour to the poor, and, his good deed, He will pay him back.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Correct thy son, because there is hope, yet, not so as to slay him, let thy passion be excited.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A man in a rage, taketh away the penalty, —nevertheless, if thou let him go free, the more [stripes] must thou add.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many are the devices in a man’s heart, but, the counsel of Yahweh, 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 lovingkindness, —and better a poor man, than one who deceiveth.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The reverence of Yahweh, leadeth to life, satisfied then, let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, even unto his own mouth, will he not bring it back.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
The scoffer, thou shalt smite, and, the simple, will beware, but correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that ruineth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son causing shame and reproach.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
An abandoned witness, scorneth justice, and, the mouth of lawless men, swalloweth iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Prepared for scoffers, are punishments, and stripes, for the back of dullards.
