Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favor is above silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honor; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonors all.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers 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 a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonor the helpless [man] in the gates.
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
