Mithali 6
1 Mwanangu, kama umekuwa mdhamini wa jirani yako, ikiwa umeshika mikono kwa kuweka ahadi kwa ajili ya mwingine,
My son, if thou hast become surety for another, If thou hast stricken hands for another,
2 kama umetegwa na ulichosema, umenaswa kwa maneno ya kinywa chako,
If thou hast become ensnared by the words of thy mouth, If thou hast been caught by the words of thy mouth,
3 basi fanya hivi mwanangu, ili ujiweke huru, kwa kuwa umeanguka mikononi mwa jirani yako: Nenda ukajinyenyekeshe kwake; msihi jirani yako!
Do this now, my son, and rescue thyself, —Since thou hast fallen into the hands of thy neighbor, —Go, prostrate thyself, and be urgent with thy neighbor!
4 Usiruhusu usingizi machoni pako, usiruhusu kope zako zisinzie.
Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids;
5 Jiweke huru, kama swala mkononi mwa mwindaji, kama ndege kutoka kwenye mtego wa mwindaji.
Rescue thyself, as a roe from the hand, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Ewe mvivu, mwendee mchwa; zitafakari njia zake ukapate hekima!
Go to the ant, O sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise!
7 Kwa maana yeye hana msimamizi, wala mwangalizi, au mtawala,
She hath no governor, Nor overseer, nor ruler;
8 lakini hujiwekea akiba wakati wa kiangazi na hukusanya chakula chake wakati wa mavuno.
Yet she prepareth in the summer her food, She gathereth in the harvest her meat.
9 Ewe mvivu, utalala hata lini? Utaamka lini kutoka usingizi wako?
How long wilt thou lie in bed, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise from thy sleep?
10 Bado kulala kidogo, kusinzia kidogo, bado kukunja mikono kidogo upate kupumzika:
“A little sleep, —a little slumber, —A little folding of the hands to rest:”
11 hivyo umaskini utakuja juu yako kama mnyangʼanyi, na kupungukiwa kutakujia kama mtu mwenye silaha.
So shall thy poverty come upon thee like a robber, Yea, thy want, as an armed man!
12 Mtu mbaya sana na mlaghai, ambaye huzungukazunguka na maneno ya upotovu,
A worthless wretch is the unrighteous man, Who walketh with a deceitful mouth;
13 ambaye anakonyeza kwa jicho lake, anayetoa ishara kwa miguu yake na kuashiria kwa vidole vyake,
Who winketh with his eyes, Speaketh with his feet, And teacheth with his fingers.
14 ambaye hupanga ubaya kwa udanganyifu moyoni mwake: daima huchochea fitina.
Fraud is in his heart; He deviseth mischief continually; He scattereth contentions.
15 Kwa hiyo maafa yatamkumba ghafula; ataangamizwa mara, pasipo msaada.
Therefore shall calamity come upon him suddenly; In a moment shall he be destroyed, and that without remedy;
16 Kuna vitu sita anavyovichukia Bwana, naam, viko saba vilivyo chukizo kwake:
These six things doth the LORD hate; Yea, seven are an abomination to him:
17 macho ya kiburi, ulimi udanganyao, mikono imwagayo damu isiyo na hatia,
Lofty eyes, a false tongue, And hands which shed innocent blood;
18 moyo uwazao mipango miovu, miguu iliyo myepesi kukimbilia uovu,
A heart that contriveth wicked devices; Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19 shahidi wa uongo ambaye humwaga uongo, na mtu ambaye huchochea fitina kati ya ndugu.
A false witness, that uttereth lies, And him that soweth discord among brethren.
20 Mwanangu, zishike amri za baba yako, wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
Keep, O my son! the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the precepts of thy mother!
21 Yafunge katika moyo wako daima, yakaze kuizunguka shingo yako.
Bind them continually to thy heart, Tie them around thy neck!
22 Wakati utembeapo, yatakuongoza; wakati ulalapo, yatakulinda; wakati uamkapo, yatazungumza nawe.
When thou goest forth, they shall guide thee; When thou sleepest, they shall watch over thee; And, when thou awakest, they shall talk with thee.
23 Kwa maana amri hizi ni taa, mafundisho haya ni mwanga na maonyo ya maadili ni njia ya uzima,
For the commandment is a lamp, and instruction a light; Yea, the rebukes of correction lead to life.
24 yakikulinda na mwanamke aliyepotoka, kutokana na maneno laini ya mwanamke aliyepotoka.
They shall guard thee from the evil woman, From the smooth tongue of the unchaste woman.
25 Moyo wako usitamani uzuri wake wala macho yake yasikuteke,
Desire not her beauty in thy heart, Nor let her catch thee with her eyelids;
26 kwa maana kahaba atakufanya uwe maskini, hata ukose kipande cha mkate, naye mwanamke mzinzi huwinda maisha yako hasa.
For by a harlot a man is brought to a morsel of bread, And the adulteress layeth snares for the precious life.
27 Je, mtu aweza kuchotea moto kwenye paja lake bila nguo zake kuungua?
Can a man take fire into his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
28 Je, mtu aweza kutembea juu ya makaa ya moto yanayowaka bila miguu yake kuungua?
Can one walk upon burning coals, And his feet not be scorched?
29 Ndivyo alivyo mtu alalaye na mke wa mwanaume mwingine; hakuna yeyote amgusaye huyo mwanamke ambaye hataadhibiwa.
So is it with him who goeth in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever toucheth her shall not go unpunished.
30 Watu hawamdharau mwizi kama akiiba kukidhi njaa yake wakati ana njaa.
Men do not overlook a thief, Though he steal to satisfy his appetite, when he is hungry;
31 Pamoja na hayo, kama akikamatwa, lazima alipe mara saba, ingawa inamgharimu utajiri wote wa nyumba yake.
If found, he must repay sevenfold, And give up all the substance of his house.
32 Lakini mwanaume aziniye na mwanamke hana akili kabisa; yeyote afanyaye hivyo hujiangamiza mwenyewe.
Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; He that doeth it destroyeth himself;
33 Mapigo na aibu ni fungu lake na aibu yake haitafutika kamwe;
Blows and dishonor shall he get, And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 kwa maana wivu huamsha ghadhabu ya mume, naye hataonyesha huruma alipizapo kisasi.
For jealousy is the fury of a man; He will not spare in the day of vengeance;
35 Hatakubali fidia yoyote; atakataa malipo, hata yakiwa makubwa kiasi gani.
And he will not pay regard to any ransom, Nor be content, though thou offer many gifts.
