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 is] 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, [it 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 perverteth his way: and 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 will entreat the favor of the prince: 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, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him].
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] speaketh lies shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Delight 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 deferreth 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.
The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favor [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] the inheritance of fathers: and 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 an 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 own soul; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it 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; nevertheless 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] 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.
A slothful [man] hideth his hand in [his] bosom, 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 beware: 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 wasteth [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 the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth 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.
