Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who 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.
It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against the LORD.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth adds 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. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many will entreat the favour of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 Mtu masikini huchukiwa na ndugu zake wote; je marafiki wengi kiasi gani hujitenga kutoka kwake! Anawaita, lakini wameondoka.
All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Delicate living is not appropriate 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 makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offence.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on 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. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
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 casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD; he will reward him.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must 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 you may be wise in your latter end.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
There are many plans in a man’s heart, but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. 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 leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he 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.
Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
