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 favour rather than silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and 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] seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah is riches, and honour, 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 the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, 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 ruleth over the poor; and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He that soweth unrighteousness shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his wrath shall have an end.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out the scorner, and contention will depart, and strife and ignominy shall cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He that loveth pureness of heart, upon whose lips is grace, the king is his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge; but he overthroweth the words of the unfaithful.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The sluggard saith, There is a lion without, I shall be killed 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 strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] 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 unto 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: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy confidence 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 not I written to thee excellent things, in counsels and knowledge,
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man;
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts:
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
if thou hast nothing 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.
Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.
