Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, who is a fool.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Also in the want of knowledge in the soul there is nothing good; and he that hasteneth with his feet misseth the right path.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The folly of a man perverteth his way, and against the Lord will his heart rage.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth bringeth many friends; but the poor becometh separated from his [only] friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; and every one is the friend to him that bestoweth gifts.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
All the brothers of the poor hate him: how much more do his friends go far away from him! he pursueth [their] promises; but these are [all] that he hath.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He that getteth intelligence loveth his own soul: he that guardeth understanding will find happiness.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not remain unpunished, and he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Delicacy is not seemly for a fool: much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
It is intelligence in man to be slow in his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
Like the roaring of a young lion is the wrath of a king: as dew upon the herbs is his favor.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A calamity unto his father is a foolish son; and a continual dropping are the quarrels of a wife.
14 Nyumba na utajiri ni urithi kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Yehova.
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers; but from the Lord [cometh] an intelligent wife.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Slothfulness casteth [man] into a deep sleep; and an indolent soul will suffer hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
He that observeth the commandment guardeth his own soul: but he that disregardeth [directing] his ways [aright] shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He lendeth unto the Lord that is liberal to the poor, and his good deed will he repay unto him.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope; and let not thy soul spare [him] for his crying.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great fury must suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, thou must still do it again.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Hear counsel, and accept correction, in order that thou mayest be wise in thy 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 alone will stand firm.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The longing of a man is [to exercise] his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The fear of the Lord leadeth unto life: and he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
When a slothful man hath hidden his hand in the dish, then will he not even bring it back to his mouth.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will become prudent; and if one that hath understanding be admonished, he will understand knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He that plundereth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that bringeth shame and dishonor.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth [thee] to err from the sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
An ungodly witness scorneth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth mischief.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Punishments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
