Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
The good obtaineth favor of the Lord; but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 Mtu hathibitiki kutokana na uovu, bali mwenye haki hataondolewa.
A man cannot be firmly established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous will not 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 as rottenness in his bones is one that bringeth shame [on him].
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The thoughts of the righteous are justice: the best counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
The wicked are suddenly overthrown, and are no more; but the house of the righteous will endure.
8 Mtu husifiwa kulingana na hekima yake, bali watu wenye akili zilizopotoka hudharauliwa.
In accordance with his intelligence is a man praised; but he that is perverse of heart will come to 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 who hath a servant, than he that aimeth after honor, and lacketh bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man careth for the life of his beast; but the mercies of the wicked are cruelty.
11 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yeye afuataye mambo ya upuzi hana akili.
He that tilleth his ground will be satisfied with bread; but he that runneth after idle persons is void of sense.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked is covetous for the net of evil men; but [God] giveth root to the righteous.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
In the transgression of his lips is the snare of the wicked; but the righteous cometh out of distress.
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 be satisfied with what is good; and the recompense of a man's hands will be brought back 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 hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
The wrath of the fool is known on the very day; but he that concealeth the disgrace is prudent.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He that uttereth truth announceth righteousness; but a false witness, deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is some one that useth words [which are] like the thrusts of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is healing.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
The lip of truth will stand firm for ever; but only for a moment the tongue of falsehood.
20 Upo udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale ambao hupanga mabaya, bali kuna furaha kwa wale wanaoleta amani.
Deceit is in the heart of those that contrive evil; but for the counsellors of peace there is joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No wrong can come unawares to the righteous; but the wicked are full of evil.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
An abomination of the Lord are lips of falsehood; but they that deal in faithfulness [obtain] his favor.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A prudent man concealeth [his] knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth [their] folly.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hand of the diligent will bear rule; but the indolent must become tributary.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
If there be care in the heart of man, let him suppress it; and a good word will change it into joy.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor; but the way of the wicked leadeth them astray.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The indolent roasteth not that which he hath caught in hunting; but the most precious wealth of man is diligence.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
On the path of righteousness there is life; and on her pathway there is immortality,
