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] loving favor rather than silver and 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 of them all.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
A prudent [man] 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.
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 froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Train up a child in the way he should go: 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 that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall end; yes, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
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 that is abhorred by the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall 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 [riches], [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,
Bow down thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to 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 keepest them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have not I written to 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 the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send to thee?
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress 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 spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If thou hast 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 set.
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 stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].
