Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 Mke mwenye tabia nzuri ni taji ya mumewe, bali aaibishaye ni kama uozo katika mifupa ya mumewe.
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu huonekana sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu mwenye hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Upo udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale ambao hupanga mabaya, bali kuna furaha kwa wale wanaoleta amani.
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
