Mithali 19
1 Bora mtu masikini ambaye huenenda katika uadilifu wake kuliko mwenye ukaidi katika maneno yake na ni mpumbavu.
Better [is] the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse [in] his lips, who [is] a fool.
2 Tena, si vizuri kuwa na hamu bila maarifa na mwenye kukimbia haraka sana hukosea njia.
Also, without knowledge the soul [is] not good, And the hasty in feet is sinning.
3 Upuuzi wa mtu unaharibu maisha yake na moyo wake hughadhabika dhidi ya Yehova.
The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.
4 Utajiri huongeza marafiki wengi, bali mtu masikini hutengwa na rafiki zake.
Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
5 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa adhabu na mwenye kupumua uongo hataokoka.
A false witness is not acquitted, Whoso breatheth out lies is not delivered.
6 Wengi wataomba fadhila kutoka kwa mtu mkarimu na kila mtu ni rafiki wa yule anayetoa zawadi.
Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of 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 have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words — they are not!
8 Anayepata hekima huyapenda maisha yake mwenyewe; yeye atunzaye ufahamu atapata kilicho chema.
Whoso is getting heart is loving his soul, He is keeping understanding to find good.
9 Shahidi wa uongo hatakosa kuadhibiwa, bali mwenye kupumua uongo ataangamia.
A false witness is not acquitted, And whoso breatheth out lies perisheth.
10 Haifai kwa mpumbavu kuishi kwa anasa- wala kwa mtumwa kutawala juu ya wafalme.
Luxury is not comely for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule among princes.
11 Busara humfanya mtu achelewe kukasirika na utukufu wake ni kusamehe kosa.
The wisdom of a man hath deferred his anger, And his glory [is] to pass over transgression.
12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama muungurumo wa simba kijana, bali fadhila yake ni kama umande kwenye majani.
The wrath of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
13 Mwana mpumbavu ni uharibifu kwa baba yake na mke mgomvi ni maji yanayochuruzika daima.
A calamity to his father [is] a foolish son, 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 wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
15 Uvivu unamtupa mtu kwenye usingizi mzito, bali asiyetamani kufanya kazi atakwenda njaa.
Sloth causeth deep sleep to fall, And an indolent soul doth hunger.
16 Yeye anayetii amri huyaongoza maisha yake, bali mtu asiyefikiri juu ya njia zake atakufa.
Whoso is keeping the command is keeping his soul, Whoso is despising His ways dieth.
17 Mwenye ukarimu kwa masikini humkopesha Yehova na atalipwa kwa kile alichofanya.
Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
18 Mrudi mwanao wakati kuna matumaini na usiwe na shauku ya kumweka katika mauti.
Chastise thy son, for there is hope, And to put him to death lift not up thy soul.
19 Mtu mwenye hasira kali lazima alipe adhabu; kama ukimwokoa, utafanya hivyo mara mbili.
A man of great wrath is bearing punishment, For, if thou dost deliver, yet again thou dost add.
20 Sikiliza ushauri na ukubali maelekezo, ili uweze kuwa na hekima mwishoni mwa maisha yako.
Hear counsel and receive instruction, So that thou art wise in thy latter end.
21 Moyoni mwa mtu kuna mipango mingi, bali kusudi la Yehova ndilo litakalo simama.
Many [are] the purposes in a man's heart, And the counsel of Jehovah it standeth.
22 Shauku ya mtu ni uaminifu na mtu masikini ni bora kuliko muongo.
The desirableness of a man [is] his kindness, And better [is] the poor than a liar.
23 Kumheshimu Yehova huwaelekeza watu kwenye uzima; mwenye nayo atashibishwa na hatadhurika kwa madhara.
The fear of Jehovah [is] to life, And satisfied he remaineth — he is not charged with evil.
24 Mtu goigoi huuzika mkono wake ndani ya dishi; hataurudisha juu ya kinywa chake.
The slothful hath hidden his hand in a dish, Even unto his mouth he bringeth it not back.
25 Kama utampiga mwenye mzaha, wajinga watakuwa na hekima; mwelekeze mwenye ufahamu, naye atapata maarifa.
A scorner smite, and the simple acts prudently, And give reproof to the intelligent, He understandeth knowledge.
26 Anayempora baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana anayeleta aibu na shutuma.
Whoso is spoiling a father causeth a mother to flee, A son causing shame, and bringing confusion.
27 Mwanangu, kama utaacha kusikiliza maelekezo, utapotea kutoka kwenye maneno ya maarifa.
Cease, my son, to hear instruction — To err from sayings of knowledge.
28 Shahidi mpotofu huidhihaki haki na kinywa cha waovu humeza uovu.
A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29 Hukumu ipo tayari kwa wenye dhihaka na mjeledi kwa migongo ya wapumbavu.
Judgments have been prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools!
