Proverbs 22

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

1 Heri kuchagua jina jema kuliko utajiri mwingi, kuheshimiwa ni bora kuliko fedha au dhahabu.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.

2 Tajiri na maskini wanafanana kwa hili: Bwana ni Muumba wao wote.

3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

3 Mtu mwenye busara huona hatari na kujificha, bali mjinga huendelea mbele kama kipofu nayo ikamtesa.

4 The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.

4 Unyenyekevu na kumcha Bwana huleta utajiri, heshima na uzima.

5 Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

5 Katika mapito ya waovu kuna miiba na mitego, bali yeye ailindaye nafsi yake hukaa mbali nayo.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

6 Mfundishe mtoto njia impasayo kuiendea, naye hataiacha hata akiwa mzee.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

7 Matajiri huwatawala maskini naye akopaye ni mtumwa wa akopeshaye.

8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

8 Yeye aupandaye uovu huvuna taabu, nayo fimbo ya ghadhabu yake itaangamizwa.

9 A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

9 Mtu mkarimu yeye mwenyewe atabarikiwa kwa kuwa hushiriki chakula chake na maskini.

10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.

10 Mfukuze mwenye dhihaka, na mvutano utatoweka; ugomvi na matukano vitakoma.

11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

11 Yeye apendaye moyo safi na yeye ambaye maneno yake ni ya neema, mfalme atakuwa rafiki yake.

12 The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

12 Macho ya Bwana hulinda maarifa, bali huyapinga maneno ya asiye mwaminifu.

13 The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

13 Mvivu husema, “Yuko simba nje!” au, “Nitauawa katika mitaa!”

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

14 Kinywa cha mwanamke kahaba ni shimo refu; yeye aliye chini ya ghadhabu ya Bwana atatumbukia ndani yake.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

15 Upumbavu umefungwa ndani ya moyo wa mtoto, bali fimbo ya adhabu itaufukuzia mbali naye.

16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

16 Yeye amwoneaye maskini ili kujiongezea mali, naye ampaye tajiri zawadi, wote huwa maskini.

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—

17 Tega sikio na usikie misemo ya wenye hekima, elekeza moyo wako kwenye yale nifundishayo,

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.

18 kwa maana inapendeza unapoyahifadhi moyoni mwako na kuwa nayo yote tayari midomoni mwako.

19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.

19 Ili tumaini lako liwe katika Bwana, hata wewe, ninakufundisha leo.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,

20 Je, sijakuandikia misemo thelathini, misemo ya mashauri na maarifa,

21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

21 kukufundisha maneno ya kweli na ya kuaminika, ili uweze kutoa majibu sahihi kwake yeye aliyekutuma?

22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

22 Usiwadhulumu maskini kwa sababu ni maskini, wala kumdhulumu mhitaji mahakamani,

23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

23 kwa sababu Bwana atalichukua shauri lao naye atawateka wao waliowateka.

24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,

24 Usifanye urafiki na mtu mwenye hasira ya haraka, usishirikiane na yule aliye mwepesi kukasirika,

25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

25 la sivyo utajifunza njia zake na kujiingiza mwenyewe kwenye mtego.

26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

26 Usiwe mwenye kupana mikono katika rehani, au kuweka dhamana kwa ajili ya madeni.

27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

27 Kama ukikosa njia ya kulipa, kitanda chako kitachukuliwa ukiwa umekilalia.

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.

28 Usisogeze jiwe la mpaka wa zamani lililowekwa na baba zako.

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

29 Je, unamwona mtu stadi katika kazi yake? Atahudumu mbele ya wafalme; hatahudumu mbele ya watu duni.