Proverbs 19

1 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

1 Afadhali mtu maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama, kuliko mpumbavu ambaye midomo yake imepotoka.

2 Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

2 Sio vizuri kuwa na juhudi bila maarifa, wala kufanya haraka na kuikosa njia.

3 A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

3 Upumbavu wa mtu mwenyewe huharibu maisha yake hata hivyo moyo wake humkasirikia Bwana.

4 Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

4 Mali huleta marafiki wengi, bali rafiki wa mtu maskini humwacha.

5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

5 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo hataachwa huru.

6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

6 Wengi hujipendekeza kwa mtawala na kila mmoja ni rafiki wa mtu atoaye zawadi.

7 All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

7 Mtu maskini huepukwa na ndugu zake wote: Je, marafiki zake watamkwepa kiasi gani! Ingawa huwafuata kwa kuwasihi, hawapatikani popote.

8 He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

8 Yeye apataye hekima huipenda nafsi yake mwenyewe, yeye ahifadhiye ufahamu hustawi.

9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

9 Shahidi wa uongo hataacha kuadhibiwa, naye amwagaye uongo ataangamia.

10 Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

10 Haistahili mpumbavu kuishi katika anasa, itakuwa vibaya kiasi gani kwa mtumwa kuwatawala wakuu.

11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

11 Hekima ya mtu humpa uvumilivu, ni kwa utukufu wake kusamehe makosa.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

12 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni kama mngurumo wa simba, bali wema wake ni kama umande juu ya nyasi.

13 A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

13 Mwana mpumbavu ni maangamizi ya babaye, naye mke mgomvi ni kama kutonatona kusikoisha.

14 Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14 Nyumba na mali hurithiwa kutoka kwa wazazi, bali mke mwenye busara hutoka kwa Bwana.

15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

15 Uvivu huleta usingizi mzito, naye mtu mzembe huona njaa.

16 He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

16 Yeye ambaye hutii mafundisho huulinda uhai wake, bali yeye anayezidharau njia zake atakufa.

17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

17 Yeye amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha Bwana, naye atamtuza kwa aliyotenda.

18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

18 Mrudi mwanao, kwa maana katika hiyo kuna tumaini, usiwe mshirika katika mauti yake.

19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again.

19 Mtu mwenye kukasirika haraka ni lazima atapata adhabu yake, kama utamwokoa, itakubidi kufanya hivyo tena.

20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.

20 Sikiliza mashauri na ukubali mafundisho, nawe mwishoni utakuwa na hekima.

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

21 Kuna mipango mingi ndani ya moyo wa mtu, lakini kusudi la Bwana ndilo litakalosimama.

22 The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor than a liar.

22 Lile mtu alionealo shauku ni upendo usio na mwisho, afadhali kuwa maskini kuliko kuwa mwongo.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

23 Kumcha Bwana huongoza kwenye uzima, kisha mtu hupumzika akiwa ameridhika, bila kuguswa na shida.

24 The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth.

24 Mtu mvivu hutumbukiza mkono wake kwenye sahani, lakini hawezi hata kuupeleka kwenye kinywa chake!

25 Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

25 Mpige mwenye mzaha, naye mjinga atajifunza busara, mkemee mwenye ufahamu naye atapata maarifa.

26 He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

26 Yeye amwibiaye baba yake na kumfukuza mama yake ni mwana aletaye aibu na fedheha.

27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

27 Mwanangu, ukiacha kusikiliza mafundisho, utatangatanga mbali na maneno ya maarifa.

28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

28 Shahidi mla rushwa hudhihaki hukumu na kinywa cha mtu mwovu humeza ubaya kwa upesi.

29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

29 Adhabu zimeandaliwa kwa ajili ya wenye dhihaka na mapigo kwa ajili ya migongo ya wapumbavu.