Mithali 14
1 Mwanamke mwenye hekima huijenga nyumba yake, bali mpumbavu huibomoa nyumba yake kwa mikono yake mwenyewe.
The wise among women buildeth her house; but the foolish pulleth it down with her own hands.
2 Yeye ambaye njia zake ni nyofu humcha Bwana, bali yeye ambaye njia zake zimepotoka humdharau Mungu.
In his uprightness walketh he that feareth the Lord; but perverse in his ways is he that despiseth him.
3 Mazungumzo ya mpumbavu huleta fimbo mgongoni mwake, bali mwenye hekima hulindwa na maneno ya midomo yake.
In the mouth of the foolish is a stick [for his] pride; but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Pale ambapo hakuna mafahali, hori ni tupu, bali kutokana na nguvu za fahali huja mavuno mengi.
Where no oxen are, is the crib clean; but the abundance of harvests is [only] through the strength of the ox.
5 Shahidi mwaminifu hadanganyi, bali shahidi wa uongo humimina uongo.
A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness constantly uttereth lies.
6 Mwenye mzaha huitafuta hekima na haipati, bali maarifa huja kwa urahisi kwa anayepambanua.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and there is none; but knowledge is easy to the man of understanding.
7 Kaa mbali na mtu mpumbavu, kwa maana hutapata maarifa katika midomo yake.
Go far away from a foolish man, else thou wilt [never] know the lips of knowledge.
8 Hekima ya mwenye busara ni kufikiria njia zake, bali upumbavu wa wapumbavu ni udanganyifu.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; but the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Wapumbavu hudhihaki kujirekebisha kutoka dhambi, bali wema hupatikana miongoni mwa wanyofu.
The fool maketh a mockery of guilt; but among the upright there is good will.
10 Kila moyo hujua uchungu wake wenyewe, wala hakuna yeyote awezaye kushiriki furaha yake.
The heart knoweth its own bitterness; and with its joy can no stranger intermeddle.
11 Nyumba ya mwovu itaangamizwa, bali hema la mnyofu litastawi.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed: but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man; but its end are ways unto death.
13 Hata katika kicheko moyo waweza kuuma, nayo furaha yaweza kuishia katika majonzi.
Even in laughter the heart feeleth pain; and at its end joy is sorrow.
14 Wasio na imani watapatilizwa kikamilifu kwa ajili ya njia zao, naye mtu mwema atapewa thawabu kwa ajili ya njia yake.
The backslider in heart will have enough of his own ways; and from him [departeth] the good men.
15 Mtu mjinga huamini kila kitu, bali mwenye busara hufikiria hatua zake.
The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man understandeth his steps.
16 Mtu mwenye hekima humcha Bwana na kuepuka mabaya, bali mpumbavu hukasirika kwa hamaki na uzembe.
A wise man is fearful, and departeth from evil; but the fool exciteth himself, and is confident.
17 Mtu anayekasirika kwa haraka hufanya mambo ya upumbavu, naye mtu wa hila huchukiwa.
He that is soon angry committeth folly; and a man of wicked devices is hated.
18 Mjinga hurithi upumbavu, bali wenye busara huvikwa maarifa kichwani kama taji.
The simple inherit folly; but the prudent crown themselves with knowledge.
19 Watu wabaya watasujudu mbele ya watu wema, nao waovu kwenye malango ya wenye haki.
The bad sink down before the good; and the wicked are at the gates of the righteous.
20 Maskini huepukwa hata na majirani zao, bali matajiri wana marafiki wengi.
Even to his own neighbor is the poor man hateful; but the friends of the rich are many.
21 Yeye anayemdharau jirani yake hutenda dhambi, bali amebarikiwa yeye aliye na huruma kwa mhitaji.
He that despiseth his neighbor is a sinner; but he that is gracious to the poor—happiness attend him!
22 Je, wale wanaopanga ubaya hawapotoki? Bali wale wanaopanga kilicho chema hupata upendo na uaminifu.
Behold, those who contrive evil are in error; but kindness and truth attend on those who contrive what is good.
23 Kazi zote zinazofanywa kwa bidii huleta faida, bali mazungumzo matupu huelekea umaskini tu.
In all painful labor there is profit; but mere words of the lips [lead] only to want.
24 Utajiri wa wenye hekima ni taji yao, bali upumbavu wa wapumbavu huzaa upumbavu.
The crown of the wise is their riches; but the folly of fools is [only] folly.
25 Shahidi wa kweli huokoa maisha, bali shahidi wa uongo ni mdanganyifu.
A deliverer of souls is the true witness; but a witness of deceit uttereth lies.
26 Yeye amchaye Bwana ana ngome salama, na kwa watoto wake itakuwa kimbilio.
In the fear of the Lord is the strong confidence [of man], and unto his children will it be a place of shelter.
27 Kumcha Bwana ni chemchemi ya uzima, ili kumwepusha mtu na mitego ya mauti.
The fear of the Lord is the source of life, [teaching] to avoid the snares of death.
28 Wingi wa watu ni utukufu wa mfalme, bali pasipo watu mkuu huangamia.
In the multitude of people is the king's glory; but in the want of a population is the downfall of the prince.
29 Mtu mwenye subira ana ufahamu mwingi, bali anayekasirika haraka huonyesha upumbavu.
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit holdeth up [to view] his folly.
30 Moyo wenye amani huupa mwili uzima, bali wivu huozesha mifupa.
A sound heart is the life of the body; but jealousy is the rottenness of the bones.
31 Yeye amwoneaye maskini huonyesha dharau kwa Muumba wao, bali yeyote anayemhurumia mhitaji humheshimu Mungu.
He that oppresseth the poor blasphemeth his Maker; but he that is gracious to the needy honoreth him.
32 Waovu huangamizwa kwa matendo yao maovu, bali hata katika kifo wenye haki hupata kimbilio.
Through his own evil is the wicked thrust down; but even in his death doth the righteous have confidence.
33 Hekima hukaa katika moyo wa mwenye ufahamu bali haijulikani miongoni mwa wapumbavu.
In the heart of the man of understanding resteth wisdom: but [the little which is] in the bosom of fools is made known.
34 Haki huinua taifa, bali dhambi ni aibu kwa watu wote.
Righteousness exalteth a people; but the disgrace of nations is sin.
35 Mfalme hupendezwa na mtumishi mwenye hekima, bali ghadhabu yake humwangukia mtumishi mwenye kuaibisha.
The king's favor is bestowed on an intelligent servant; but his wrath is against him that deserveth shame.
