Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays 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 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 slave to the lender.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will 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 an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into 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 discipline drives it far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
