Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good [man] obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
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 woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh 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 right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the wicked are a lying-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.
Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted 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 that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man is concerned for 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 that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]; but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth 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 is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto 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 that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is that babbleth 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 lip of truth shall be established for ever; 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 them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
There shall no evil happen to a righteous [man]; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful [hand] shall be under tribute.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
