Mithali 11
1 Yehova huchukia vipimo ambavyo havipo sahihi, bali hufurahia uzani dhahiri.
A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah, but a just weight is his delight.
2 Kinapokuja kiburi, ndipo aibu huja, bali unyenyekevu huleta hekima.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 Uadilifu wa wenye haki huwaongoza, bali udanganyifu wa njia za wajanja utawaangamiza.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
4 Utajiri hauna thamani siku ya ghadhabu, bali kwa kutenda haki hujilinda na mauti.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 Mwenendo wa mtu mwema huinyosha njia yake, bali waovu wataanguka kwa sababu ya uovu wao.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way, but the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 Mwenendo mwema wa wale wampendezao Mungu utawalinda salama, bali wadanganyifu hunaswa katika shauku zao.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity.
7 Mtu mwovu anapokufa, tumaini lake hupotea na tumaini lililokuwa katika nguvu zake linakuwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dies, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of iniquity perishes.
8 Yule atendaye haki hulindwa katika taabu na badala yake taabu humjia mwovu.
A righteous man is delivered out of trouble, and a wicked man comes in his stead.
9 Kwa kinywa chake asiyeamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa wale watendao haki hulindwa salama.
The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous shall be delivered through knowledge.
10 Wanapofanikiwa watendao haki, mji hufurahi, waovu wanapoangamia, kunakuwa na kelele za furaha.
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 Kwa zawadi nzuri za wale wanaompendeza Mungu, mji unakuwa mkubwa; kwa kinywa cha waovu mji huvurugwa.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Mtu mwenye dharau kwa rafiki yake hana akili, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu hunyamaza.
He who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 Anayekwenda akizunguka kwa kukashifu hufunua siri, bali mtu mwaminifu hustiri jambo.
He who goes around as a tale-bearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
14 Pasipokuwa na uongozi wenye busara, taifa huanguka, bali ushindi huja kwa kushauriana washauri wengi.
Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15 Anayemdhamini mkopo wa mgeni ataumia kwa usumbufu, bali anayechukia kutoa rehani kwa namna ya ahadi yupo salama.
He who is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, but he who hates suretyship is secure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye rehema hupata heshima, bali watu wakorofi hufumbata utajiri.
A gracious woman obtains honor, and aggressive men obtain riches.
17 Mtu mkarimu hufaidika mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiumiza mwenyewe.
The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 Mtu mwovu husema uongo kupata mishahara yake, bali yeye apandaye haki anavuna mishahara ya kweli.
A wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness has a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwaminifu atendaye haki ataishi, bali yeye atendaye uovu atakufa.
He who is steadfast in righteousness comes to life, and he who pursues evil comes to his own death.
20 Yehova anawachukia wenye ukaidi mioyoni, bali anawapenda wale ambao njia zao hazina makosa.
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.
21 Uwe na uhakika juu ya hili- watu waovu hawatakosa adhabu, bali uzao wa wale watendao haki watawekwa salama.
Hand in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu kwenye pua ya nguruwe ndiyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri asiye na busara.
A ring of gold in a swine's snout, is a beautiful woman who is without discretion.
23 Shauku ya wale watendao haki ni matokeo mema, bali watu waovu wanaweza kutumainia ghadhabu tu.
The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Kuna yule ambaye hupanda mbegu- atakusanya zaidi; mwingine hapandi- huyo anakuwa masikini.
There is he who scatters, and increases yet more, and there he is who withholds more than is proper, but only to want.
25 Mtu mkarimu atafanikiwa na yule awapaye maji wengine atapata maji yake mwenyewe.
The generous soul shall be made prosperous, and he who waters shall also be watered himself.
26 Watu wanamlaani mtu ambaye hukataa kuuza nafaka, bali zawadi njema hufunika kichwa chake ambaye huuza nafaka.
The people shall curse him who withholds grain, but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.
27 Yule ambaye hutafuta mema kwa bidii pia anatafuta kibali, bali yule atafutaye ubaya atapata ubaya.
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.
28 Wale wanaotumaini utajiri wataanguka, bali kama jani, wale watendao haki watasitawi.
He who trusts in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.
29 Yule ambaye analeta taabu kwenye kaya yake ataurithi upepo na mpumbavu atakuwa mtumishi wa wenye moyo wa hekima.
He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. And a foolish man shall be servant to a wise man of heart.
30 Wale watendao haki watakuwa kama mti wa uzima, lakini vurugu huondoa uzima.
The fruit of a righteous man is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.
31 Tazama! Ikiwa wale watendao haki hupokea wanachositahili, je si zaidi kwa waovu na wenye dhambi!
Behold, a righteous man shall be recompensed in the earth, how much more the wicked man and the sinner!
