Mithali 22
1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh 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 sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, 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 path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays 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 when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.
Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
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. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will 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; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.
For it is a pleasant thing 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.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.
for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
