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 a just weight is his delight.
2 Kiburi kinapokuja, ndipo huja aibu, bali unyenyekevu huja na hekima.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is 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 profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 Haki ya wasio na lawama, huwatengenezea njia iliyonyooka, bali waovu huangushwa kwa uovu wao wenyewe.
The righteousness of the perfect shall 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 they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.
7 Wakati mtu mwovu anapokufa, matumaini yake hutoweka; yote aliyoyatazamia kutokana na nguvu zake huwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dieth [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.
8 Mtu mwenye haki huokolewa kutoka taabu, naye mtu mwovu huingia humo badala yake.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 Kwa kinywa chake mtu asiyemwamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa mwenye haki huokolewa.
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10 Wakati mwenye haki anapofanikiwa, mji hufurahi; mwovu atowekapo, kuna kelele za furaha.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and 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.
He that despiseth his neighbour is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 Masengenyo husaliti tumaini, bali mtu mwaminifu hutunza siri.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Pasipo ushauri wa hekima taifa huanguka, bali washauri wengi hufanya ushindi uwe wa hakika.
Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 Yeye amdhaminiye mgeni hakika atateseka, bali yeyote akataaye kuunga mkono dhamana ni salama.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: but he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye moyo wa huruma hupata heshima, bali wanaume wakorofi hupata mali tu.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and violent men retain riches.
17 Mwenye huruma hujinufaisha mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiletea taabu mwenyewe.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 Mtu mwovu hupata ujira wa udanganyifu, bali yeye apandaye haki huvuna tuzo ya uhakika.
The wicked earneth deceitful wages: but he that soweth righteousness [hath] a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwenye haki kweli kweli hupata uzima, bali yeye afuatiliaye ubaya huendea kifo chake.
He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life: and he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
20 Bwana huwachukia sana watu wenye moyo wa upotovu, bali hupendezwa na wale ambao njia zao hazina lawama.
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD: but such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.
21 Uwe na hakika na hili: Waovu hawataepuka kuadhibiwa, bali wenye haki watakuwa huru.
[Though] hand [join] in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu katika pua ya nguruwe ndivyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri ambaye hana busara.
[As a] jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, [so is] a fair woman which is without 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: [but] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Kuna mtu atoaye kwa ukarimu, hata hivyo hupata zaidi, mwingine huzuia, lakini huwa maskini.
There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.
25 Mtu mkarimu atastawi; yeye awaburudishaye wengine ataburudishwa mwenyewe.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 Watu humlaani mtu awanyimae watu nafaka, bali baraka itamkalia kichwani kama taji yeye aliye radhi kuiuza.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 Yeye atafutaye mema hupata ukarimu, bali ubaya huja kwake yeye autafutaye.
He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour: but he that searcheth after mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 Yeyote ategemeaye utajiri wake ataanguka, bali mwenye haki atastawi kama jani bichi.
He that trusteth in his riches shall 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 that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and 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 that is wise winneth souls.
31 Kama wenye haki watapokea ujira wao duniani, si zaidi sana yule asiyemcha Mungu na mwenye dhambi?
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner!
