Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya babaye, bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son [heareth] his father’s instruction; But a scoffer heareth not rebuke.
2 Kutoka tunda la midomo yake mtu hufurahia mambo mema, bali wasio waaminifu wanatamani sana jeuri.
A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; [But] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 Mvivu hutamani sana na hapati kitu, bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii hutoshelezwa kikamilifu.
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 Mwenye haki huchukia uongo, bali waovu huleta aibu na fedheha.
A righteous man hateth lying; But a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness guardeth him that is upright in the way; But wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 Mtu mmoja hujifanya tajiri, kumbe hana chochote; mwingine hujifanya maskini, kumbe ana utajiri mwingi.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great wealth.
8 Utajiri wa mtu waweza kukomboa maisha yake, bali mtu maskini hasikii kitisho.
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.
9 Nuru ya mwenye haki hungʼaa sana, bali taa ya mwovu itazimwa.
The light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Kiburi huzalisha magomvi tu, bali hekima hupatikana kwa wale wanaozingatia ushauri.
By pride cometh only contention; But with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Fedha isiyo ya halali hupungua, bali yeye akusanyaye fedha kidogo kidogo huongezeka.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.
12 Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja moyo huugua, bali tumaini lililotimizwa ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Yeye anayedharau mafundisho anajiletea maangamizi, bali yeye anayeheshimu agizo hupewa tuzo.
Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself; But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 Mafundisho ya mwenye busara ni chemchemi ya uzima, ili kumwepusha mtu na mitego ya mauti.
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
15 Ufahamu mzuri hupata upendeleo, bali njia ya asiye mwaminifu ni ngumu.
Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.
16 Kila mwenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa, bali mpumbavu hudhihirisha upumbavu wake.
Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
17 Mjumbe mwovu huanguka kwenye taabu, bali mjumbe mwaminifu huleta uponyaji.
A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Yeye anayedharau maonyo hupata umaskini na aibu, bali yeye anayekubali maonyo huheshimiwa.
Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth correction; But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
19 Tarajio lililotimizwa ni tamu kwa nafsi, bali wapumbavu huchukia sana kuacha ubaya.
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 Yeye atembeaye na mwenye hekima atapata hekima, bali rafiki wa mpumbavu hupata madhara.
Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
21 Balaa humwandama mtenda dhambi, bali mafanikio ni thawabu kwa mwenye haki.
Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.
22 Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi, bali mali ya wenye dhambi imehifadhiwa kwa ajili ya wenye haki.
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.
23 Shamba la mtu maskini laweza kuzalisha chakula kingi, bali dhuluma hukifutilia mbali.
Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor; But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.
24 Yeye aizuiaye fimbo yake hampendi mwanawe, bali yeye ampendaye huwa mwangalifu kumwadibisha.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son; But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 Mwenye haki hula mpaka akaridhisha moyo wake, bali tumbo la mwovu hutaabika kwa njaa.
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want.
