Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A good name is better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
3 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5 Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations and insults will cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.”
14 Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
For the Lord will judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
