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 he that perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The foolishness of man subverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth addeth many friends: but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness shall not be 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 favour of the liberal man: and every man is a friend to him that 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 do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him! he pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: 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 uttereth lies shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Delicate living 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.
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to 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.
The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A foolish son is the calamity of 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.
House 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 soul 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 soul: [but] he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; and set not thy heart on his destruction.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty: for if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet again.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, 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 devices in a man’s heart; but the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The desire of a man is [the measure of] 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 [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 sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
smite a scorner, and the simple will learn prudence: and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He that spoileth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction [only] to err from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
