Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor meet together — the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, even riches, and honour, and life.
5 Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and 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 the lender.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'
14 Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.
17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest bring back words of truth to them that send thee?
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Rob not the weak, because he is weak, neither crush the poor in the gate;
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
For the LORD will plead their cause, and despoil of life those that despoil them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts;
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
If thou hast not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
