Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good man shall obtain favor from Jehovah, but he will condemn a man of wicked devices.
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 worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife 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 just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Watu waovu huondolewa na kutoweka, bali nyumba ya mwenye haki husimama imara.
The wicked are overthrown, and 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 person is commended according to his good sense, but the one who has a perverse mind is despised.
9 Heri mtu wa hali ya chini mwenye mtumishi, kuliko kujifanya mtu wa hali ya juu nawe huna chakula.
Better is he who is lightly esteemed, and has a servant, than he who honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, 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 who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked desires the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 Mtu mwovu hunaswa kwa mazungumzo yake ya dhambi, bali mwenye haki huepuka taabu.
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous shall come 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. The work of a man's hands shall be rewarded to 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 who is wise listens to counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Midomo isemayo kweli hudumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo hudumu kwa muda mfupi tu.
Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
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 plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 Mikono yenye bidii itatawala, bali uvivu huishia katika kazi za utumwa.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Moyo wa wasiwasi humlemea mtu, bali neno la huruma humfurahisha.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The slothful man doesn't roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
