< Mithali 11 >

1 Bwana huchukia sana mizani za udanganyifu, bali vipimo sahihi ni furaha yake.
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 Kiburi kinapokuja, ndipo huja aibu, bali unyenyekevu huja na hekima.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 Uadilifu wa wenye haki huwaongoza, bali wasio waaminifu huharibiwa na hila yao.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Utajiri haufaidi kitu katika siku ya ghadhabu, bali haki huokoa kutoka mautini.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 Haki ya wasio na lawama, huwatengenezea njia iliyonyooka, bali waovu huangushwa kwa uovu wao wenyewe.
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 Haki ya wanyofu huwaokoa, bali wasio waaminifu hunaswa na tamaa mbaya.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7 Wakati mtu mwovu anapokufa, matumaini yake hutoweka; yote aliyoyatazamia kutokana na nguvu zake huwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 Mtu mwenye haki huokolewa kutoka taabu, naye mtu mwovu huingia humo badala yake.
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9 Kwa kinywa chake mtu asiyemwamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa mwenye haki huokolewa.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
10 Wakati mwenye haki anapofanikiwa, mji hufurahi; mwovu atowekapo, kuna kelele za furaha.
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 Kutokana na baraka ya mtu mnyofu mji hukwezwa, bali kwa kinywa cha mwovu mji huharibiwa.
By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Mtu asiye na akili humdharau jirani yake, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu huuzuia ulimi wake.
One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 Masengenyo husaliti tumaini, bali mtu mwaminifu hutunza siri.
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14 Pasipo ushauri wa hekima taifa huanguka, bali washauri wengi hufanya ushindi uwe wa hakika.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.
15 Yeye amdhaminiye mgeni hakika atateseka, bali yeyote akataaye kuunga mkono dhamana ni salama.
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye moyo wa huruma hupata heshima, bali wanaume wakorofi hupata mali tu.
A gracious woman obtains honor, but she who hates virtue makes a throne for dishonor. The slothful become destitute, and ruthless men grab wealth.
17 Mwenye huruma hujinufaisha mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiletea taabu mwenyewe.
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 Mtu mwovu hupata ujira wa udanganyifu, bali yeye apandaye haki huvuna tuzo ya uhakika.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwenye haki kweli kweli hupata uzima, bali yeye afuatiliaye ubaya huendea kifo chake.
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.
20 Bwana huwachukia sana watu wenye moyo wa upotovu, bali hupendezwa na wale ambao njia zao hazina lawama.
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21 Uwe na hakika na hili: Waovu hawataepuka kuadhibiwa, bali wenye haki watakuwa huru.
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu katika pua ya nguruwe ndivyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri ambaye hana busara.
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
23 Shauku ya mwenye haki huishia tu kwenye mema, bali tumaini la mwovu huishia tu kwenye ghadhabu.
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Kuna mtu atoaye kwa ukarimu, hata hivyo hupata zaidi, mwingine huzuia, lakini huwa maskini.
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 Mtu mkarimu atastawi; yeye awaburudishaye wengine ataburudishwa mwenyewe.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26 Watu humlaani mtu awanyimae watu nafaka, bali baraka itamkalia kichwani kama taji yeye aliye radhi kuiuza.
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27 Yeye atafutaye mema hupata ukarimu, bali ubaya huja kwake yeye autafutaye.
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28 Yeyote ategemeaye utajiri wake ataanguka, bali mwenye haki atastawi kama jani bichi.
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 Yeye aletaye taabu kwa jamaa yake atarithi tu upepo, naye mpumbavu atakuwa mtumishi wa wenye hekima.
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 Tunda la mwenye haki ni mti wa uzima, naye mwenye hekima huvuta roho za watu.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he who plucks that life is wise.
31 Kama wenye haki watapokea ujira wao duniani, si zaidi sana yule asiyemcha Mungu na mwenye dhambi?
If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?

< Mithali 11 >