Mithali 22
1 Jina jema huchaguliwa dhidi ya utajiri mwingi na fadhila ni bora kuliko fedha na dhahabu.
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold — good grace.
2 Watu matajiri na masikini wanafanana katika hili - Yehova ni muumba wao wote.
Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all [is] Jehovah.
3 Mtu mwenye hekima huiona taabu na kujificha mwenyewe, bali mjinga huendelea mbele na huumia kwa ajili yake.
The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The end of humility [is] the fear of Jehovah, Riches, and honour, and life.
5 Miiba na mitego hulala katika njia ya wakaidi; yeye anayelinda maisha yake atakuwa mbali navyo.
Thorns — snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Mfundishe mtoto njia inayompasa na wakati akiwa mzee hatayaacha mafundisho hayo.
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it.
7 Watu matajiri huwatawala watu masikini na mwenye kukopa ni mtumwa wa yule anayekopesha.
The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8 Yule anayepanda udhalimu atavuna taabu na fimbo ya hasira yake itanyauka.
Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out.
9 Mwenye jicho la ukarimu atabarikiwa, maana anashiriki mkate wake pamoja na masikini.
The good of eye — he is blessed, For he hath given of his bread to the poor.
10 Mfukuze mbali mwenye dhihaka, na ugomvi utaondoka, mashindano na matukano yatakoma.
Cast out a scorner — and contention goeth out, And strife and shame cease.
11 Anayependa moyo safi na mwenye maneno ya neema, atakuwa rafiki yake mfalme.
Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace [are] his lips, a king [is] his friend.
12 Macho ya Yehova huyaangalia maarifa, bali huyapindua maneno ya wadanganyifu.
The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The slothful hath said, 'A lion [is] without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.'
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 strange women, The abhorred of Jehovah falleth there.
15 Upumbavu umefungwa katika moyo wa mtoto, lakini marudi ya fimbo huutoa.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth it far from him.
16 Anayewanyanyasa watu masikini ili kuongeza mali yake, au kuwapa matajiri, atakuwa masikini.
He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich — only to want.
17 Tega sikio lako na usikilize maneno ya wenye busara na utumia moyo wako katika maarifa yangu,
Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge,
18 maana itakuwa furaha kwako kama utayaweka ndani yako, kama yote yatakuwa katika midomo yako.
For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
19 Basi tumaini lako liwe kwa Yehova, ninayafundisha kwako leo- hata kwako.
That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge?
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee.
22 Usimwibie masikini kwa sababu ni masikini, au kumponda kwenye lango,
Rob not the poor because he [is] poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
23 maana Yehova ataitetea kesi yao, na atawaibia uzima wale waliowaibia masikini.
For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in,
25 au utajifunza njia zake na utakuwa chambo kwa nafsi yako.
Lest thou learn his paths, And have received a snare to thy soul.
26 Usiwe miongoni mwao wapigao mikono, mwenye kuahidi madeni.
Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
27 Kama umekosa njia za kulipa, nini kitaweza kuzuia mtu kuchukua kitanda chako chini yako?
If thou hast nothing to pay, Why doth he take thy bed from under thee?
28 Usiondoe jiwe la mpaka la wahenga ambalo baba zako wameweka.
Remove not a border of olden times, That thy fathers have made.
29 Je umemwona mtu aliyeuwawa kwenye kazi yake? Atasimama mbele ya wafalme; hatasimama mbele ya watu wa kawaida.
Hast thou seen a man speedy in his business? Before kings he doth station himself, He stations not himself before obscure men!
