Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
He who loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is brutish.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 Mke mwenye tabia nzuri ni taji ya mumewe, bali aaibishaye ni kama uozo katika mifupa ya mumewe.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The thoughts of the righteous are just. The counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not, but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
A wicked man desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous gives.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
A wicked man is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous shall come out of trouble.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the actions of a man's hands shall be rendered to him.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu huonekana sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu mwenye hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise hearkens to counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool's vexation is instantly known, but a prudent man conceals shame.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He who utters truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is he who speaks rashly like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
The lips of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Upo udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale ambao hupanga mabaya, bali kuna furaha kwa wale wanaoleta amani.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy is to the counselors of peace.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
There shall no mischief happen to a righteous man, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, but those who deal truly are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule, but the slothful shall be put under task work.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Heaviness in the heart of a man makes it droop, but a good word makes it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked causes them to err.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
Life is in the way of righteousness, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
