Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
All the brothers of a poor man hate him— how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14 Nyumba na utajiri ni urithi kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Yehova.
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
