Mithali 6
1 Mwanangu, kama utaweka pesa zako kuwa dhamana kwa mkopo wa jirani yako; kama ukitoa ahadi yako katika mkopo wa mtu usiyemjua,
My son, if thou hast become surety for another, If thou hast stricken hands for another,
2 basi umejiwekea mtego mwenyewe na umenaswa kwa maneno ya kinywa chako.
If thou hast become ensnared by the words of thy mouth, If thou hast been caught by the words of thy mouth,
3 Mwanagu, ukinaswa kwa maneno yako mwenyewe, fanya haya ili kujiokoa, kwa kuwa umeangukia kwenye mikono ya jirani yako; nenda unyenyekee na ufanye shauri mbele ya jirani yako.
Do this now, my son, and rescue thyself, —Since thou hast fallen into the hands of thy neighbor, —Go, prostrate thyself, and be urgent with thy neighbor!
4 Usiruhusu usingizi katika macho yako wala kope za macho yako kusinzia.
Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids;
5 Jiokoe mwenyewe kama swala kutoka katika mkono wa mwindaji, kama ndege kutoka katika mkono wa mwinda ndege.
Rescue thyself, as a roe from the hand, And as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 Wewe mtu mvivu, mwangalie mchwa, zitafakari njia zake ili kupata busara.
Go to the ant, O sluggard! Consider her ways, and be wise!
7 Hana akida, afisa au mtawala,
She hath no governor, Nor overseer, nor ruler;
8 lakini huandaa chakula chake wakati wa joto na wakati wa mavuno huweka hazina ili kula baadaye.
Yet she prepareth in the summer her food, She gathereth in the harvest her meat.
9 Ewe mtu mvivu, utalala hata lini? Wakati gani utainuka usingizini?”
How long wilt thou lie in bed, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise from thy sleep?
10 Lala kidogo, sizia kidogo, kunja mikono kupumzika kidogo” -
“A little sleep, —a little slumber, —A little folding of the hands to rest:”
11 ndipo umasikini wako utakapokujia kama mporaji na uhitaji wako kama askari wa vita.
So shall thy poverty come upon thee like a robber, Yea, thy want, as an armed man!
12 Mtu asiyefaa-mtu mwovu- huishi kwa kauli za udanganyifu wake,
A worthless wretch is the unrighteous man, Who walketh with a deceitful mouth;
13 akipepesa macho yake, akiashilia kwa miguu yake na kusonta kwa videle vyake.
Who winketh with his eyes, Speaketh with his feet, And teacheth with his fingers.
14 Hufanya njama za uovu kwa hila ya moyo wake; daima huchochea faraka.
Fraud is in his heart; He deviseth mischief continually; He scattereth contentions.
15 Kwa hiyo msiba wake utamkumba kwa ghafula, punde atavunjika vibaya wala hatapona.
Therefore shall calamity come upon him suddenly; In a moment shall he be destroyed, and that without remedy;
16 Kuna vitu sita ambavyo Yehova huvichukia, saba ambavyo ni chukizo kwake.
These six things doth the LORD hate; Yea, seven are an abomination to him:
17 Macho ya mtu mwenye kiburi, ulimi wa uongo, mikono inayomwaga damu ya watu maasumu,
Lofty eyes, a false tongue, And hands which shed innocent blood;
18 moyo unaobuni njama mbaya, miguu inayokimbilia maovu upesi,
A heart that contriveth wicked devices; Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
19 shahidi asemaye uongo na apandaye faraka kati ya ndugu.
A false witness, that uttereth lies, And him that soweth discord among brethren.
20 Mwanangu, itii amri ya baba yako na wala usiyaache mafundisho ya mama yako.
Keep, O my son! the commandment of thy father, And forsake not the precepts of thy mother!
21 Uyafunge katika moyo wako siku zote; yafunge kwenye shingo yako.
Bind them continually to thy heart, Tie them around thy neck!
22 utembeapo, yatakuongoza; ulalapo yatakulinda, na uamkapo yatakufundisha.
When thou goest forth, they shall guide thee; When thou sleepest, they shall watch over thee; And, when thou awakest, they shall talk with thee.
23 Maana amri ni taa, na mafundisho ni nuru; kinga za kuadilisha za njia ya uzima.
For the commandment is a lamp, and instruction a light; Yea, the rebukes of correction lead to life.
24 Yanakulinda dhidi ya mwanamke malaya, dhidi ya maneno laini ya uzinzi.
They shall guard thee from the evil woman, From the smooth tongue of the unchaste woman.
25 Moyoni mwako usiutamani uzuri wake wala usitekwe katika kope zake.
Desire not her beauty in thy heart, Nor let her catch thee with her eyelids;
26 Kulala na malaya inaweza kugharimu bei ya kipande cha mkate, lakini mke wa mtu mwingine inagharimu uzima wako wote.
For by a harlot a man is brought to a morsel of bread, And the adulteress layeth snares for the precious life.
27 Je mtu anaweza kubeba moto katika kifua chake bila kuuguza mavazi yake?
Can a man take fire into his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
28 Je mtu anaweza kutembea juu ya makaa bila kuchomwa miguu yake?
Can one walk upon burning coals, And his feet not be scorched?
29 Ndivyo alivyo mtu alalaye na mke wa jirani yake; yule alalaye na huyo mke hatakosa adhabu.
So is it with him who goeth in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever toucheth her shall not go unpunished.
30 Watu hawawezi kumdharau mwizi kama anaiba ili kukidhi hitaji lake la njaa.
Men do not overlook a thief, Though he steal to satisfy his appetite, when he is hungry;
31 Walakini akimatwa, atalipa mara saba ya kile alichoiba; lazima atoe kila kitu cha thamani katika nyumba yake.
If found, he must repay sevenfold, And give up all the substance of his house.
32 Mtu anayefanya uzinzi hana akili; hufanya hiyo kwa uharibifu wake mwenyewe.
Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; He that doeth it destroyeth himself;
33 Anasitahili aibu na majeraha na fedheha yake haiwezi kuondolewa.
Blows and dishonor shall he get, And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 Maana vivu humghadhibisha mtu; hatakuwa na huruma wakati wa kulipa kisasi chake.
For jealousy is the fury of a man; He will not spare in the day of vengeance;
35 Ujapompa zawadi nyingi, hatakubali mbadala wa kusuruhishwa wala kulipwa.
And he will not pay regard to any ransom, Nor be content, though thou offer many gifts.
