Mithali 11
1 Yehova huchukia vipimo ambavyo havipo sahihi, bali hufurahia uzani dhahiri.
The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights please him.
2 Kinapokuja kiburi, ndipo aibu huja, bali unyenyekevu huleta hekima.
With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3 Uadilifu wa wenye haki huwaongoza, bali udanganyifu wa njia za wajanja utawaangamiza.
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
4 Utajiri hauna thamani siku ya ghadhabu, bali kwa kutenda haki hujilinda na mauti.
Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.
5 Mwenendo wa mtu mwema huinyosha njia yake, bali waovu wataanguka kwa sababu ya uovu wao.
The goodness of the innocent keeps them on track, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 Mwenendo mwema wa wale wampendezao Mungu utawalinda salama, bali wadanganyifu hunaswa katika shauku zao.
The goodness of those who live right will save them, but the dishonest are trapped by their own desires.
7 Mtu mwovu anapokufa, tumaini lake hupotea na tumaini lililokuwa katika nguvu zake linakuwa si kitu.
When a wicked person dies, their hopes die with them; what the godless look forward to is gone.
8 Yule atendaye haki hulindwa katika taabu na badala yake taabu humjia mwovu.
The good are saved from trouble, while the wicked get into trouble.
9 Kwa kinywa chake asiyeamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa wale watendao haki hulindwa salama.
Godless people mouth off and destroy their neighbors, but the good are saved by wisdom.
10 Wanapofanikiwa watendao haki, mji hufurahi, waovu wanapoangamia, kunakuwa na kelele za furaha.
The whole town celebrates when good people are successful; they also shout for joy when the wicked die.
11 Kwa zawadi nzuri za wale wanaompendeza Mungu, mji unakuwa mkubwa; kwa kinywa cha waovu mji huvurugwa.
Ethical people are a blessing to a town, but what the wicked say destroys it.
12 Mtu mwenye dharau kwa rafiki yake hana akili, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu hunyamaza.
People who run down their neighbors have no sense; someone who's sensible keeps quiet.
13 Anayekwenda akizunguka kwa kukashifu hufunua siri, bali mtu mwaminifu hustiri jambo.
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but trustworthy people keep confidences.
14 Pasipokuwa na uongozi wenye busara, taifa huanguka, bali ushindi huja kwa kushauriana washauri wengi.
A nation falls without good guidance, but they are saved through much wise counsel.
15 Anayemdhamini mkopo wa mgeni ataumia kwa usumbufu, bali anayechukia kutoa rehani kwa namna ya ahadi yupo salama.
You'll get into trouble if you guarantee a stranger's loans—you're far safer if you refuse to make such pledges.
16 Mwanamke mwenye rehema hupata heshima, bali watu wakorofi hufumbata utajiri.
A gracious woman holds on to her honor just as ruthless men hold on to their wealth.
17 Mtu mkarimu hufaidika mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiumiza mwenyewe.
If you're kind, you'll be rewarded; but if you're cruel, you'll hurt yourself.
18 Mtu mwovu husema uongo kupata mishahara yake, bali yeye apandaye haki anavuna mishahara ya kweli.
The wicked earn wages that cheat them, but those who sow goodness reap a genuine reward.
19 Mtu mwaminifu atendaye haki ataishi, bali yeye atendaye uovu atakufa.
Do what's right, and you will live; chase after evil and you will die.
20 Yehova anawachukia wenye ukaidi mioyoni, bali anawapenda wale ambao njia zao hazina makosa.
The Lord hates perverted minds, but is happy with those who live moral lives.
21 Uwe na uhakika juu ya hili- watu waovu hawatakosa adhabu, bali uzao wa wale watendao haki watawekwa salama.
You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished, but the good will be saved.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu kwenye pua ya nguruwe ndiyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri asiye na busara.
A beautiful woman who lacks good judgment is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23 Shauku ya wale watendao haki ni matokeo mema, bali watu waovu wanaweza kutumainia ghadhabu tu.
Good people want what's best, but what the wicked hope for ends in death.
24 Kuna yule ambaye hupanda mbegu- atakusanya zaidi; mwingine hapandi- huyo anakuwa masikini.
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.
25 Mtu mkarimu atafanikiwa na yule awapaye maji wengine atapata maji yake mwenyewe.
If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.
26 Watu wanamlaani mtu ambaye hukataa kuuza nafaka, bali zawadi njema hufunika kichwa chake ambaye huuza nafaka.
People curse those who hoard grain; but they bless those who sell.
27 Yule ambaye hutafuta mema kwa bidii pia anatafuta kibali, bali yule atafutaye ubaya atapata ubaya.
If you look to do good, you'll be appreciated; but if you look for evil, you'll find it!
28 Wale wanaotumaini utajiri wataanguka, bali kama jani, wale watendao haki watasitawi.
If you trust in your riches, you'll fall; but if you do good, you'll flourish like green leaves.
29 Yule ambaye analeta taabu kwenye kaya yake ataurithi upepo na mpumbavu atakuwa mtumishi wa wenye moyo wa hekima.
If you cause trouble in your family, you'll inherit nothing but air. Stupid people end up as servants to those who think wisely.
30 Wale watendao haki watakuwa kama mti wa uzima, lakini vurugu huondoa uzima.
The fruit of the good is a tree of life, and the wise person saves people.
31 Tazama! Ikiwa wale watendao haki hupokea wanachositahili, je si zaidi kwa waovu na wenye dhambi!
If the good are repaid here on earth, how much more will the wicked who sin be repaid!
