Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth acquires many friends; but the poor is deserted even of the friend he has.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that accuses unjustly shall not escape.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many court the favour of kings; but every bad man becomes a reproach to [another] man.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
Every one who hates [his] poor brother shall also be far from friendship. Good understanding will draw near to them that know it, and a sensible man will find it. He that does much harm perfects mischief; and he that used provoking words shall not escape.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He that procures wisdom loves himself; and he that keeps wisdom shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; and whoever shall kindle mischief shall perish by it.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Delight does not suit a fool, nor [is it seemly] if a servant should begin to rule with haughtiness.
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
A merciful man is longsuffering; and his triumph overtakes transgressors.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
The threatening of a king is like the roaring of a lion; but as dew on the grass, so is his favour.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A foolish son is a disgrace to his father: vows [paid out] of the hire of a harlot are not pure.
14 Nyumba na utajiri ni urithi kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Yehova.
Fathers divide house and substance to [their] children: but a wife is suited to a man by the Lord.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Cowardice possesses the effeminate [man]; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall perish.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He that has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and he will recompense to him according to his gift.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chasten your son, for so he shall be hopeful; and be not exalted in your soul to haughtiness.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A malicious man shall be severely punished, and if he commit injury, he shall also lose his life.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Hear, son, the instruction of your father, that you may be wise at your latter end.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
[There are] many thoughts in a man's heart; but the counsel of the Lord abides for ever.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The fear of the Lord is life to a man: and he shall lodge without fear in places where knowledge is not seen.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
He that unjustly hides his hands in his bosom, will not even [bring] them up to his mouth.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
When a pestilent character is scourged, a simple man is made wiser: and if you reprove a wise man, he will understand discretion.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He that dishonours his father, and drives away his mother, shall be disgraced and shall be exposed to reproach.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Scourges are preparing for the intemperate, and punishments likewise for fools.
