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 transgressors [shall eat] violence.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
He that keepeth 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 lothsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness keepeth [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 riches.
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 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 extinguished.
10 Kiburi huzalisha magomvi tu, bali hekima hupatikana kwa wale wanaozingatia ushauri.
Only by pride 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 shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall 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.
Whoever despiseth the word shall be destroyed: 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, to 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 transgressors [is] hard.
16 Kila mwenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa, bali mpumbavu hudhihirisha upumbavu wake.
Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.
17 Mjumbe mwovu huanguka kwenye taabu, bali mjumbe mwaminifu huleta uponyaji.
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful embassador [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 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] 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] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
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: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.
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 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.
