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 better is good-will 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.
The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are 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 deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
Train up a child in accordance with his way, And 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 who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
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 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 with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.
Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
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 give heed to my instruction!
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
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 be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
