Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya babaye, bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son [becometh so] by the correction of his father; but a scorner hearkeneth not to rebuke.
2 Kutoka tunda la midomo yake mtu hufurahia mambo mema, bali wasio waaminifu wanatamani sana jeuri.
From the fruit of a man's mouth doth he eat what is good; but the longing of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
He that watcheth his mouth guardeth his soul; but he that openeth wide his lips [prepareth] himself destruction.
4 Mvivu hutamani sana na hapati kitu, bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii hutoshelezwa kikamilifu.
The sluggard longeth [in] his soul, and there [cometh] nothing; but the soul of the diligent will be abundantly gratified.
5 Mwenye haki huchukia uongo, bali waovu huleta aibu na fedheha.
The righteous hateth the word of falsehood; but the wicked bringeth shame and dishonor.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright on his way; but wickedness perverteth the [man of] sin.
7 Mtu mmoja hujifanya tajiri, kumbe hana chochote; mwingine hujifanya maskini, kumbe ana utajiri mwingi.
There is some one that pretendeth to be rich without having any thing; another that pretendeth to be poor while having abundant wealth.
8 Utajiri wa mtu waweza kukomboa maisha yake, bali mtu maskini hasikii kitisho.
As the ransom of a man's life [hath he often to give] his riches; but the poor heareth no threat.
9 Nuru ya mwenye haki hungʼaa sana, bali taa ya mwovu itazimwa.
The light of the righteous burneth joyfully; but the lamp of the wicked will be quenched.
10 Kiburi huzalisha magomvi tu, bali hekima hupatikana kwa wale wanaozingatia ushauri.
Only through presumptuous conduct doth man produce contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
11 Fedha isiyo ya halali hupungua, bali yeye akusanyaye fedha kidogo kidogo huongezeka.
Wealth [gotten] by vain deeds will be diminished; but he that gathereth by close labor will increase it.
12 Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja moyo huugua, bali tumaini lililotimizwa ni mti wa uzima.
Expectation long deferred maketh the heart sick; but a tree of life is a desire which is fulfilled.
13 Yeye anayedharau mafundisho anajiletea maangamizi, bali yeye anayeheshimu agizo hupewa tuzo.
Whoso despiseth the word shall fall in debt to it; but he that feareth the commandment will be rewarded.
14 Mafundisho ya mwenye busara ni chemchemi ya uzima, ili kumwepusha mtu na mitego ya mauti.
The instruction of the wise is a source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.
15 Ufahamu mzuri hupata upendeleo, bali njia ya asiye mwaminifu ni ngumu.
Good intelligence giveth grace; 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 a fool spreadeth abroad his folly.
17 Mjumbe mwovu huanguka kwenye taabu, bali mjumbe mwaminifu huleta uponyaji.
A wicked messenger falleth into unhappiness; but a faithful ambassador [bringeth] healing.
18 Yeye anayedharau maonyo hupata umaskini na aibu, bali yeye anayekubali maonyo huheshimiwa.
Poverty and disgrace will overtake him that rejecteth correction; but he that observeth admonition will be honored.
19 Tarajio lililotimizwa ni tamu kwa nafsi, bali wapumbavu huchukia sana kuacha ubaya.
A desire accomplished is pleasant to the soul; but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 Yeye atembeaye na mwenye hekima atapata hekima, bali rafiki wa mpumbavu hupata madhara.
He that walketh with wise men will become wise; but he that associateth with fools will be destroyed.
21 Balaa humwandama mtenda dhambi, bali mafanikio ni thawabu kwa mwenye haki.
Evil pursueth the sinners; but the righteous will [God] repay with happiness.
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 treasured up for the righteous.
23 Shamba la mtu maskini laweza kuzalisha chakula kingi, bali dhuluma hukifutilia mbali.
Much food bringeth the new-tilled ground of the poor; but there are many others that are taken away through injustice.
24 Yeye aizuiaye fimbo yake hampendi mwanawe, bali yeye ampendaye huwa mwangalifu kumwadibisha.
He that withholdeth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes.
25 Mwenye haki hula mpaka akaridhisha moyo wake, bali tumbo la mwovu hutaabika kwa njaa.
The righteous eateth to satisfy his desire [to eat]; but the belly of the wicked always suffereth want.
