Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoso loveth knowledge loveth correction; but he that is brutish hateth reproof.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good man shall obtain favour of the LORD; but a man of wicked 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 never be moved.
4 Mke mwenye tabia nzuri ni taji ya mumewe, bali aaibishaye ni kama uozo katika mifupa ya mumewe.
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that doeth shamefully 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; but 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 to 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 intelligence; but he that is of a distorted understanding 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 playeth the man of rank, and lacketh bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man regardeth 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 ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things is void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked desireth the prey 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 a snare to the evil man; but the righteous cometh 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 doings 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 straight 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.
A fool's vexation is presently known; but a prudent man concealeth shame.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is that speaketh 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 mischief befall the righteous; but the wicked are filled with evil.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; 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 fools proclaimeth 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 under tribute.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Care in the heart of a man boweth it down; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
The righteous is guided by his friend; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The slothful man shall not hunt his prey; but the precious substance of men is to be diligent.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
