Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. But whoever hates correction is unwise.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
Whoever is good shall draw grace from the Lord. But whoever trusts in his own thoughts acts impiously.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
Man will not be made strong from impiety. And the root of the just shall not be moved.
4 Mke mwenye tabia nzuri ni taji ya mumewe, bali aaibishaye ni kama uozo katika mifupa ya mumewe.
A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The thoughts of the just are judgments. And the counsels of the impious are dishonest.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the impious lie in wait for blood. The mouth of the just shall free them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
Turn from the impious, and they will not be. But the house of the just shall stand firm.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
A man will be known by his doctrine. But whoever is vain and heartless will suffer contempt.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
Better is a pauper who has what he needs, than someone glorious and in need of bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
The just one knows the lives of his beasts. But the inner most parts of the impious are cruel.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever continually pursues leisure is most foolish. Whoever is soothed by lingering over wine leaves behind contempt in his strongholds.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The desire of the impious is the fortification of what is most wicked. But the root of the just shall prosper.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
For the sins of the lips draw ruin to the evil. But the just shall escape from distress.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
By the fruit of his own mouth, each one shall be filled with good things, and according to the works of his own hands, it will be distributed to him.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu huonekana sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu mwenye hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The way of the foolish is right in his own eyes. But whoever is wise listens to counsels.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
The senseless immediately reveals his anger. But whoever ignores injuries is clever.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.
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 evils. But gladness follows those who take up counsels of peace.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
Whatever may befall the just, it will not discourage him. But the impious will be filled with disasters.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A resourceful man conceals knowledge. And the heart of the unwise provokes foolishness.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the strong will rule. But anyone who is neglectful will pay tribute.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Grief in the heart of a man humbles him. And with a good word he shall be made glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
He who ignores a loss for the sake of a friend is just. But the way of the impious will deceive them.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The dishonest will not discover gain. But the substance of a man will be like precious gold.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the path of justice, there is life. But the devious way leads to death.
