< Mithali 12 >
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
The good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 Mke mwenye tabia nzuri ni taji ya mumewe, bali aaibishaye ni kama uozo katika mifupa ya mumewe.
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to 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 speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
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 animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns 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 a wise man listens to counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Upo udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale ambao hupanga mabaya, bali kuna furaha kwa wale wanaoleta amani.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.