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 over great riches and favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
Rich and poor people have this in common— Yahweh is the maker of all of them.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, but the naive go on and suffer because of it.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward for humility and fear of Yahweh is riches, honor, and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse; whoever guards his life will keep far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Teach a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn away from that instruction.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
Rich people rule over poor people and one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
He who sows injustice will reap trouble and the rod of his fury will fade away.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
The one who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Drive away the mocker, and out goes strife; disputes and insults will cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious, he will have the king for his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street! I will be killed in the open places.”
14 Kinywa cha malaya ni shimo lenye kina kirefu; hasira ya Yehova huchochewa dhidi ya yule anayetumbukia ndani yake.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far away.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth, or gives to rich people, will come to poverty.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
So your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach them to you today—even to you.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have I not written for you thirty sayings of instruction and knowledge,
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
to teach you truth in these trustworthy words, so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the needy at the gate,
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
for Yahweh will plead their case, and he will rob of life those who robbed them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger and you must not go with one who rages,
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
or you will learn his ways and you will take bait for your soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge, or who puts up security for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If you lack the means to pay, what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Do not remove the ancient boundary stone that your fathers have set.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common people.
