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 scorner 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, violence.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.
4 Mvivu hutamani sana na hapati kitu, bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii hutoshelezwa kikamilifu.
A sluggard's soul 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 the wicked maketh himself odious and cometh to shame.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness preserveth him that is perfect 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 feigneth himself rich, and hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, and 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 indigent heareth not rebuke.
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 there only cometh 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 diminisheth; but he that gathereth by manual-labour shall increase [it].
12 Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja moyo huugua, bali tumaini lililotimizwa ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but the desire [that] cometh to pass is a tree of life.
13 Yeye anayedharau mafundisho anajiletea maangamizi, bali yeye anayeheshimu agizo hupewa tuzo.
Whoso despiseth the word shall be held by it; 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 teaching of the wise [man] is a fountain of life, to turn away from the snares of death.
15 Ufahamu mzuri hupata upendeleo, bali njia ya asiye mwaminifu ni ngumu.
Good understanding procureth favour; but the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Kila mwenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa, bali mpumbavu hudhihirisha upumbavu wake.
Every prudent [man] acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open [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 instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 Tarajio lililotimizwa ni tamu kwa nafsi, bali wapumbavu huchukia sana kuacha ubaya.
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to the foolish to depart from evil.
20 Yeye atembeaye na mwenye hekima atapata hekima, bali rafiki wa mpumbavu hupata madhara.
He that walketh with wise [men] becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.
21 Balaa humwandama mtenda dhambi, bali mafanikio ni thawabu kwa mwenye haki.
Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
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; but the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous [man].
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 lost for want of judgment.
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.
