< Mithali 12 >
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
He who loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he who hateth rebuke remaineth stupid.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
The good man obtaineth favor from the LORD; But the man of wicked devices he condemneth.
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 virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; But she who causeth shame is as rottenness in his bones.
5 Mipango ya mtu mwadilifu ni ya haki, bali ushauri wa mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The purposes of the righteous are just; The designs of the wicked are deceitful.
6 Maneno ya waovu huotea kumwaga damu, bali maneno ya waadilifu huwaokoa.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for men's blood; But the mouth of the upright delivereth 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 man will be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse 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 demeaneth himself, and hath a servant, Than he that exalteth himself, and hath no bread.
10 Mtu mwenye haki hujali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali matendo ya huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
The righteous man careth 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 who tilleth his own land shall be satisfied with bread; But he who followeth worthless persons is void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked man longeth after the prey of evil-doers; 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 dangerous snare; But the righteous man shall escape from trouble.
14 Kutokana na tunda la midomo yake mtu hujazwa na mambo mema, hakika kama ilivyo kazi ya mikono yake humtunza.
By the fruit of a man's mouth he shall be filled with good, 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 hearkeneth to counsel is wise.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool's wrath is instantly known; But he that hideth insult is wise.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
He that speaketh truth testifieth what is right; But a false witness, deceit.
18 Maneno ya kipumbavu huchoma kama upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is who babbleth like the piercing 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 the tongue of falsehood, 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 those who contrive evil; But to the counsellors of peace shall be joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
No evil shall happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with calamity.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
False lips are the abomination of the LORD; But they who deal truly are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara hujihifadhia maarifa yeye mwenyewe, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hububujika upumbavu.
A prudent man concealeth his knowledge; Bur the heart of fools proclaimeth their 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.
Anxiety in the heart of a man boweth it down; But a kind word maketh it glad.
26 Mtu mwenye haki ni mwangalifu katika urafiki, bali njia ya waovu huwapotosha.
The righteous showeth the way to 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 slothful man shall not roast his game; But a precious treasure to any man is he that is diligent.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the path of righteousness is life, And in her pathway there is no death.