Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
3 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, 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 perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
The rich rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
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, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart to my knowledge,
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even you.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Have I not written to you three times With counsels and knowledge?
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
If you have nothing to pay, Why does he take your bed from under you?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Do not remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!
