Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya babaye, bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 Kutoka tunda la midomo yake mtu hufurahia mambo mema, bali wasio waaminifu wanatamani sana jeuri.
By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
3 Yeye alindaye midomo yake hulinda nafsi yake, bali yeye asemaye kwa haraka ataangamia.
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 Mvivu hutamani sana na hapati kitu, bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii hutoshelezwa kikamilifu.
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 Mwenye haki huchukia uongo, bali waovu huleta aibu na fedheha.
A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Haki humlinda mtu mwadilifu, bali uovu humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 Mtu mmoja hujifanya tajiri, kumbe hana chochote; mwingine hujifanya maskini, kumbe ana utajiri mwingi.
There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have 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 hear no threats.
9 Nuru ya mwenye haki hungʼaa sana, bali taa ya mwovu itazimwa.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Kiburi huzalisha magomvi tu, bali hekima hupatikana kwa wale wanaozingatia ushauri.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11 Fedha isiyo ya halali hupungua, bali yeye akusanyaye fedha kidogo kidogo huongezeka.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12 Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja moyo huugua, bali tumaini lililotimizwa ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Yeye anayedharau mafundisho anajiletea maangamizi, bali yeye anayeheshimu agizo hupewa tuzo.
Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 Mafundisho ya mwenye busara ni chemchemi ya uzima, ili kumwepusha mtu na mitego ya mauti.
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
15 Ufahamu mzuri hupata upendeleo, bali njia ya asiye mwaminifu ni ngumu.
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Kila mwenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa, bali mpumbavu hudhihirisha upumbavu wake.
Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
17 Mjumbe mwovu huanguka kwenye taabu, bali mjumbe mwaminifu huleta uponyaji.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
18 Yeye anayedharau maonyo hupata umaskini na aibu, bali yeye anayekubali maonyo huheshimiwa.
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
19 Tarajio lililotimizwa ni tamu kwa nafsi, bali wapumbavu huchukia sana kuacha ubaya.
Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Yeye atembeaye na mwenye hekima atapata hekima, bali rafiki wa mpumbavu hupata madhara.
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Balaa humwandama mtenda dhambi, bali mafanikio ni thawabu kwa mwenye haki.
Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
22 Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi, bali mali ya wenye dhambi imehifadhiwa kwa ajili ya wenye haki.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 Shamba la mtu maskini laweza kuzalisha chakula kingi, bali dhuluma hukifutilia mbali.
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Yeye aizuiaye fimbo yake hampendi mwanawe, bali yeye ampendaye huwa mwangalifu kumwadibisha.
One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 Mwenye haki hula mpaka akaridhisha moyo wake, bali tumbo la mwovu hutaabika kwa njaa.
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
