Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A good name is preferable to abundant riches, and good grace, to silver and to gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker them all.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
The prudent foreseeth 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 the Lord are 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 on the way of a perverse man: he that doth guard his soul will keep far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Train up the lad in accordance with his course: even when he groweth old, will he not depart from it.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
A rich man ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He that soweth injustice will reap wrong-doing; and the rod of God's wrath will not fail.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
A man of a benevolent eye will indeed be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Drive away the scorner, and strife will go off; and then will cease contention and dishonor.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He that loveth with a pure heart, and hath grace on his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge, and he overturneth the words of the treacherous.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The slothful saith, There is a lion without, in the midst of the streets shall I be murdered.
14 Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
A deep pit is the mouth of adulterous women: he that hath obtained the indignation of the Lord will fall thereinto.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
When folly is bound fast to the heart of a lad, the rod of correction must remove it far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, [must at length] give to the rich, and come only to want.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline thy 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 thy bosom, if they be altogether firmly seated upon thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy trust may be in the Lord, have I made them known to thee this day, yea, even to thee.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have not I written for 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 rectitude, the sayings of truth; that thou mightest bring back answers of truth to those that send thee?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither crush the afflicted in the gate;
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For the Lord will plead their cause, and despoil the life 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 a man given to anger; and with a man of fury thou must have no intercourse:
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare for thy own soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not one of those that pledge their hand, or of those that are sureties for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If thou have 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 established.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.
