Mithali 12
1 Yeyote apendaye kuadibishwa hupenda maarifa, bali yeye achukiaye kuonywa ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [is] brutish.
2 Mtu mwema hupata kibali kutoka kwa Bwana, bali Bwana humhukumu mwenye hila.
A good [man] obtaineth favor from the LORD: but a man of wicked devices he will 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 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 that maketh ashamed [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 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.
[He that is] despised, and hath a servant, [is] better than he that honoreth himself, and is destitute of 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 land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.
12 Waovu hutamani mateka ya watu wabaya, bali shina la mwenye haki hustawi.
The wicked desireth the net 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.
The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just 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: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered 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 that hearkeneth to counsel [is] wise.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha kuudhika kwake mara moja, bali mtu wa busara hupuuza matukano.
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
17 Shahidi wa kweli hutoa ushuhuda wa kuaminika, bali shahidi wa uongo husema uongo.
[He that] speaketh truth showeth forth 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 imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace [is] joy.
21 Hakuna dhara linalompata mwenye haki, bali waovu wana taabu nyingi.
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Bwana anachukia sana midomo idanganyayo, bali hufurahia watu ambao ni wa kweli.
Lying lips [are] 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.
Heaviness in the heart of man depresseth it: but a good word maketh it glad.
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 seduceth them.
27 Mtu mvivu haoki mawindo yake, bali mtu mwenye bidii ana mali za thamani.
The slothful [man] roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man [is] precious.
28 Katika njia ya haki kuna uzima; katika mapito hayo kuna maisha ya milele.
In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the path [of it there is] no death.
