Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya babaye, bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son is the doctrine of his father. But he who ridicules does not listen when he is reproved.
2 Kutoka tunda la midomo yake mtu hufurahia mambo mema, bali wasio waaminifu wanatamani sana jeuri.
From the fruit of his own mouth, a man shall be satisfied with good things. But the soul of betrayers is iniquity.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.
4 Mvivu hutamani sana na hapati kitu, bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii hutoshelezwa kikamilifu.
The lazy one is willing and then not willing. But the soul of he who labors shall be made fat.
5 Mwenye haki huchukia uongo, bali waovu huleta aibu na fedheha.
The just shall detest a lying word. But the impious confound and will be confounded.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Justice guards the way of the innocent. But impiety undermines the sinner.
7 Mtu mmoja hujifanya tajiri, kumbe hana chochote; mwingine hujifanya maskini, kumbe ana utajiri mwingi.
One is like the rich, though he has nothing. And another is like the poor, though he has many riches.
8 Utajiri wa mtu waweza kukomboa maisha yake, bali mtu maskini hasikii kitisho.
The redemption of a man’s life is his riches. But he who is poor cannot tolerate correction.
9 Nuru ya mwenye haki hungʼaa sana, bali taa ya mwovu itazimwa.
The light of the just enriches. But the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.
10 Kiburi huzalisha magomvi tu, bali hekima hupatikana kwa wale wanaozingatia ushauri.
Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.
11 Fedha isiyo ya halali hupungua, bali yeye akusanyaye fedha kidogo kidogo huongezeka.
Substance obtained in haste will be diminished. But what is collected by hand, little by little, shall be multiplied.
12 Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja moyo huugua, bali tumaini lililotimizwa ni mti wa uzima.
Hope, when it is delayed, afflicts the soul. The arrival of the desired is a tree of life.
13 Yeye anayedharau mafundisho anajiletea maangamizi, bali yeye anayeheshimu agizo hupewa tuzo.
Whoever denounces something obligates himself for the future. But whoever fears a lesson shall turn away in peace. Deceitful souls wander into sins. The just are merciful and compassionate.
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, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.
15 Ufahamu mzuri hupata upendeleo, bali njia ya asiye mwaminifu ni ngumu.
Good doctrine bestows grace. In the way of the contemptuous, there is a chasm.
16 Kila mwenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa, bali mpumbavu hudhihirisha upumbavu wake.
The discerning do everything with counsel. But whoever is senseless discloses his stupidity.
17 Mjumbe mwovu huanguka kwenye taabu, bali mjumbe mwaminifu huleta uponyaji.
The messenger of the impious will fall into evil. But a faithful ambassador shall prosper.
18 Yeye anayedharau maonyo hupata umaskini na aibu, bali yeye anayekubali maonyo huheshimiwa.
Destitution and disgrace are for those who abandon discipline. But whoever agrees with a reproof shall be glorified.
19 Tarajio lililotimizwa ni tamu kwa nafsi, bali wapumbavu huchukia sana kuacha ubaya.
The desired, when perfected, shall delight the soul. The foolish detest those who flee from evils.
20 Yeye atembeaye na mwenye hekima atapata hekima, bali rafiki wa mpumbavu hupata madhara.
Whoever keeps step with the wise shall be wise. A friend of the foolish will become like them.
21 Balaa humwandama mtenda dhambi, bali mafanikio ni thawabu kwa mwenye haki.
Evil pursues sinners. And good things shall be distributed to the just.
22 Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi, bali mali ya wenye dhambi imehifadhiwa kwa ajili ya wenye haki.
The good leave behind heirs: children and grandchildren. And the substance of the sinner is preserved for the just.
23 Shamba la mtu maskini laweza kuzalisha chakula kingi, bali dhuluma hukifutilia mbali.
Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.
24 Yeye aizuiaye fimbo yake hampendi mwanawe, bali yeye ampendaye huwa mwangalifu kumwadibisha.
He who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves him urgently instructs him.
25 Mwenye haki hula mpaka akaridhisha moyo wake, bali tumbo la mwovu hutaabika kwa njaa.
The just eats and fills his soul. But the belly of the impious is never satisfied.
