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; And better is good-will than silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
The rich and the poor meet 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.
The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
By 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 in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Train up a child in accordance with 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 who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall 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 strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive 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 wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come 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 give heed to my instruction!
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
