Mithali 19
1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.
All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Delicate living is not appropriate 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 makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on 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. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. 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 Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he 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.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
