Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
He that loves instruction loves sense, but he that hates reproofs is a fool.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
He that has found favor with the Lord [is made] better; but a transgressor shall be passed over in silence.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
A man shall not prosper by wickedness; but the roots of the righteous shall not be taken up.
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 as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The thoughts of the righteous [are true] judgments; but ungodly men devise deceits.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
When the ungodly is overthrown, he vanishes away; but the houses of the just remain.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
The mouth of an understanding [man] is praised by a man; but he that is dull of heart is had in derision.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
Better is a man in dishonor serving himself, than one honouring himself and lacking bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man has pity for the lives of his cattle; but the bowels of the ungodly are unmerciful.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread; but they that pursue vanities are void of understanding. He that enjoys himself in banquets of wine, shall leave dishonor in his own strong holds.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The desires of the ungodly are evil; but the roots of the godly are firmly set.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
For the sin of [his] lips a sinner falls into snare; but a righteous man escapes from them. He whose looks are gentle shall be pitied, but he that contends in the gates will afflict souls.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
The soul of a man shall be filled with good from the fruits of his mouth; and the recompence of his lips shall be given to him.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu huonekana sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu mwenye hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The ways of fools are right in their own eyes; but a wise man hearkens to counsels.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool declares his wrath the same day; but a prudent man hides his own disgrace.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
Some wound as they speak, [like] swords; but the tongues of the wise heal.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.
20 Upo udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale ambao hupanga mabaya, bali kuna furaha kwa wale wanaoleta amani.
[There is] deceit in the heart of him that imagines evil; but they that love peace shall rejoice.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No injustice will please a just man; but the ungodly will be filled with mischief.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are a abomination to the Lord; but he that deals faithfully is accepted with him.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
An understanding man is a throne of wisdom; but the heart of fools shall meet with curses.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of chosen men shall easily obtain rule; but the deceitful shall be for a prey.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
A terrible word troubles the heart of a righteous man; but a good message rejoices him.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
A just arbitrator shall be his own friend; but mischief shall pursue sinners; and the way of ungodly men shall lead them astray.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
A deceitful man shall catch no game; but a blameless man is a precious possession.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the ways of righteousness is life; but the ways of those that remember injuries [lead] to death.
