Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A good name is to be chosen aboue great riches, and louing fauour is aboue siluer and aboue golde.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and poore meete together: the Lord 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 plague, and hideth himselfe: but the foolish goe on still, and are punished.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The rewarde of humilitie, and the feare of God is riches, and glory, and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thornes and snares are in the way of the frowarde: but he that regardeth his soule, will depart farre from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Teache a childe in the trade of his way, and when he is olde, he shall not depart from it.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
The rich ruleth the poore, and the borower is seruant to the man that lendeth.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He that soweth iniquitie, shall reape affliction, and the rodde of his anger shall faile.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He that hath a good eye, he shalbe blessed: for he giueth of his bread vnto the poore.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out the scorner, and strife shall go out: so contention and reproche shall cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
Hee that loueth purenesse of heart for the grace of his lippes, the King shalbe his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of the Lord preserue knowledge: but hee ouerthroweth the wordes of the transgressour.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The slouthfull man saith, A lyon is without, I shall be slaine in the streete.
14 Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of strage women is as a deepe pit: he with whom the Lord is angry, shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Foolishnesse is bounde in the heart of a childe: but the rodde of correction shall driue it away from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
Hee that oppresseth the poore to increase him selfe, and giueth vnto the riche, shall surely come to pouertie.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline thine eare, and heare the wordes of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
For it shalbe pleasant, if thou keepe them in thy bellie, and if they be directed together in thy lippes.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy confidence may be in the Lord, I haue shewed thee this day: thou therefore take heede.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Haue not I written vnto thee three times in counsels and knowledge,
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
That I might shewe thee the assurance of the wordes of trueth to answere the wordes of trueth to them that sende to thee?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Robbe not the poore, because hee is poore, neither oppresse the afflicted in iudgement.
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For the Lord will defende their cause, and spoyle the soule of those that spoyle them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with an angrie man, neither goe with the furious man,
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
Least thou learne his wayes, and receiue destruction to thy soule.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not thou of them that touch the hand, nor among them that are suretie for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If thou hast nothing to paye, why causest thou that he should take thy bed from vnder thee?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Thou shalt not remooue the ancient bounds which thy fathers haue made.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Thou seest that a diligent man in his businesse standeth before Kings, and standeth not before the base sort.
