Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better is a poor man, walking in his integrity, than one of perverse lips, and, he, a dullard.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Surely, for the soul to be, without knowledge, is not good, and, he that hasteth with his feet, strayeth.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The folly of a man, subverteth his way, and, against Yahweh, his heart is angry.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth, addeth many friends, but, the poor man, from his own friend, is parted.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness, shall not be held innocent, 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 a noble, and, every one, is a friend to a man abounding in gifts.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
All the brethren of a poor man, hate him, how much more have, his friends, gone far from him, he may hunt up promises—there are none.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He that acquireth sense, loveth his own soul, he that guardeth understanding, shall find blessing.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness, shall not be held innocent, and, he that uttereth lies, shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Unseemly for a dullard, is delicate living, how much more for, a servant, to bear rule over princes.
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
The discretion of a man, deferreth his anger, and, his adorning, is to pass over transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
The growl as of a young lion, is the rage of a king, but, like dew upon the grass, is his good pleasure.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
Engulfing ruin to his father, is a son that is a dullard, —and, a continuous dripping, are the contentions of a wife.
14 Nyumba na utajiri ni urithi kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Yehova.
House and substance, are an inheritance from one’s fathers, but, from Yahweh, cometh a wife who is prudent.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Sloth, falleth into a deep sleep, and, a soul that is indolent, shall famish.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
One who guardeth the commandment, guardeth his life, he that is reckless in his ways, shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
A lender to Yahweh, is one who sheweth favour to the poor, and, his good deed, He will pay him back.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Correct thy son, because there is hope, yet, not so as to slay him, let thy passion be excited.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man in a rage, taketh away the penalty, —nevertheless, if thou let him go free, the more [stripes] must thou add.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Hear counsel, receive correction, that thou mayest be wise in thine after-life.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
Many are the devices in a man’s heart, but, the counsel of Yahweh, that, shall stand.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The charm of a man, is his lovingkindness, —and better a poor man, than one who deceiveth.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The reverence of Yahweh, leadeth to life, satisfied then, let a man remain—let him not be visited by calamity.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, even unto his own mouth, will he not bring it back.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
The scoffer, thou shalt smite, and, the simple, will beware, but correct a man of intelligence—he will understand teaching.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He that ruineth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son causing shame and reproach.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction that would cause thee to wander from the sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
An abandoned witness, scorneth justice, and, the mouth of lawless men, swalloweth iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Prepared for scoffers, are punishments, and stripes, for the back of dullards.
