Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A good name is to be chosen over great riches and favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
Rich and poor people have this in common— Yahweh is the maker of all of them.
3 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.
A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, but the naive go on and suffer because of it.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward for humility and fear of Yahweh is riches, honor, and life.
5 Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.
Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse; whoever guards his life will keep far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.
Teach a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn away from that instruction.
7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
Rich people rule over poor people and one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
He who sows injustice will reap trouble and the rod of his fury will fade away.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
The one who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Drive away the mocker, and out goes strife; disputes and insults will cease.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious, he will have the king for his friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street! I will be killed in the open places.”
14 Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it.
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 discipline drives it far away.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth, or gives to rich people, will come to poverty.
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 and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.
So your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach them to you today—even to you.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Have I not written for you thirty sayings of instruction and knowledge,
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
to teach you truth in these trustworthy words, so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you?
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the needy at the gate,
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
for Yahweh will plead their case, and he will rob of life those who robbed them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger and you must not go with one who rages,
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
or you will learn his ways and you will take bait for your soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge, or who puts up security for debts.
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
If you lack the means to pay, what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Do not remove the ancient boundary stone that your fathers have set.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common people.
