Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A good name is better than great riches: and good favour 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 prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The fruit of humility 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.
Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall 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 strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Be not 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 thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
