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 [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 hasteth with [his] feet sinneth.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and 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 will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man [is] a friend to him that 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 do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth [them with] words, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him].
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: 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.
Delight 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.
The discretion of a man deferreth 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 favor [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 casteth 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 keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy 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 thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, 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 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 [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!
A slothful [man] hideth 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.
Smite a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth 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.
