Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor meet together. Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
A prudent man sees the evil, and hides himself, but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and honor and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thorns and snares are in the way of a perverse man. He who keeps his soul shall be far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out, yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He who loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the king will be his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous man.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The sluggard says, There is a lion outside. I shall be slain in the streets.
14 Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of interloping women is a deep pit. He who is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall in it.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
He who oppresses a poor man to his increase, and he who gives to a rich man, comes only to want.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, if they be established together upon thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge,
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
to make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou may carry back words of truth to those who send thee?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Do not rob a poor man, because he is poor, nor oppress an afflicted man in the gate.
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil of life those who despoil them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with a man who is given to anger, and thou shall not go with a wrathful man,
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
lest thou learn this ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be thou not one of those who strike hands, or of those who are sureties for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If thou have not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
See thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before obscure men.
