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 favour rather 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.
A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 Thawabu ya unyenyekevu na kumcha Yehova ni utajiri, heshima na uzima.
The reward of humility [and] the fear of the LORD [is] riches, and honour, 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 keepeth 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 even 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 calamity: and the rod of his wrath 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 go out; yea, strife and ignominy 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 [him that hath] knowledge, but he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
13 Mtu mvivu husema, “Kuna simba mtaani! Nitauwawa sehemu za njia.”
The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be murdered 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 of the LORD shall fall therein.
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 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 [gain, and] he that giveth to the rich, [cometh] 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 the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto 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 keep them within thee, if they be established together 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 made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Sijakuandikia wewe misemo thelathini ya mafundisho na maarifa,
Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;
21 kwa kukufundisha kweli katika maneno haya yenye uaminifu, ili uwe na majibu yenye kutegemewa kwa waliokutuma?
To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send 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 despoil of life those that despoil them.
24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye kutawaliwa na hasira na wala usiambatane pamoja na mwenye hasira kali,
Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful 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 thou not 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 not wherewith 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.
