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 perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.
Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.
A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.
Many entreat 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 brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words — they are not!
8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.
Whoso 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 whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.
Luxury is not comely 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 hath 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 as dew on the herb his good-will.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.
A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, 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 from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.
Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.
Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.
Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
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 thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.
Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.
21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.
Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
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 better [is] the poor than a liar.
23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.
The fear of Jehovah [is] to life, And satisfied he remaineth — he is not charged with evil.
24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!
The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.
A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.
Whoso is spoiling a father causeth 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 scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth 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!
