Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better is the poor man who walketh in his integrity, Than he who is of false lips and a fool.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Moreover, that the soul be without knowledge is not good, And he that hasteth with is feet stumbleth.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The folly of man destroyeth his way, And then his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth maketh many friends; But the poor is separated from his neighbor.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, And he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many are they who caress the noble, And every one is the friend of him who giveth gifts.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
All the brethren of the poor man hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He runneth after their words, —they are gone!
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He that getteth wisdom loveth himself; He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, And he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Luxury is not seemly for a fool; Much less should a servant have rule over princes.
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
A man of understanding is slow to anger; Yea, it is his glory to pass over an offence.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; But his favor, like dew upon the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A foolish son is a calamity to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14 Nyumba na utajiri ni urithi kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Yehova.
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, And the idle person shall suffer hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his life; But he that neglecteth his ways shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He who hath pity on the poor lendeth to the LORD, And that which he giveth will he repay him.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chasten thy son because there is hope, But let not thy soul desire to slay him.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if thou deliver him, yet must thou do it again.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That thou mayst be wise in thy latter years.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
Many are the devices in the heart of a man; But the purpose of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The charm of a man is his kindness; And better is a poor man than a liar.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The fear of the LORD tendeth to 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.
The slothful man dippeth his hand into the dish: He doth not bring it back even to his mouth.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
Strike the scoffer, and the simple will become prudent; Reprove a man of understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
The son that causeth shame and disgrace doeth violence to his father, And chaseth away his mother.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to listen to the instruction That causeth thee to wander from the words of knowledge!
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
A worthless witness scoffeth at justice, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth down iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Punishments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
