Mithali 11
1 Yehova huchukia vipimo ambavyo havipo sahihi, bali hufurahia uzani dhahiri.
A FALSE balance is an abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
2 Kinapokuja kiburi, ndipo aibu huja, bali unyenyekevu huleta hekima.
When pride cometh, then cometh 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 profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth 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 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 they that deal treacherously shall be taken in their own mischief.
7 Mtu mwovu anapokufa, tumaini lake hupotea na tumaini lililokuwa katika nguvu zake linakuwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dieth [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.
8 Yule atendaye haki hulindwa katika taabu na badala yake taabu humjia mwovu.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 Kwa kinywa chake asiyeamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa wale watendao haki hulindwa salama.
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10 Wanapofanikiwa watendao haki, mji hufurahi, waovu wanapoangamia, kunakuwa na kelele za furaha.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: 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 that despiseth his neighbour is void of wisdom: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 Anayekwenda akizunguka kwa kukashifu hufunua siri, bali mtu mwaminifu hustiri jambo.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Pasipokuwa na uongozi wenye busara, taifa huanguka, bali ushindi huja kwa kushauriana washauri wengi.
Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 Anayemdhamini mkopo wa mgeni ataumia kwa usumbufu, bali anayechukia kutoa rehani kwa namna ya ahadi yupo salama.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: but he that hateth suretiship is sure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye rehema hupata heshima, bali watu wakorofi hufumbata utajiri.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and violent men retain riches.
17 Mtu mkarimu hufaidika mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiumiza mwenyewe.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 Mtu mwovu husema uongo kupata mishahara yake, bali yeye apandaye haki anavuna mishahara ya kweli.
The wicked earneth deceitful wages: but he that soweth righteousness [hath] a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwaminifu atendaye haki ataishi, bali yeye atendaye uovu atakufa.
He that is stedfast in righteousness [shall attain] unto life: and he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
20 Yehova anawachukia wenye ukaidi mioyoni, bali anawapenda wale ambao njia zao hazina makosa.
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD: 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.
[Though] hand [join] 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.
[As a] jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, [so is] a fair woman which 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: [but] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Kuna yule ambaye hupanda mbegu- atakusanya zaidi; mwingine hapandi- huyo anakuwa masikini.
There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but [it tendeth] only to want.
25 Mtu mkarimu atafanikiwa na yule awapaye maji wengine atapata maji yake mwenyewe.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 Watu wanamlaani mtu ambaye hukataa kuuza nafaka, bali zawadi njema hufunika kichwa chake ambaye huuza nafaka.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 Yule ambaye hutafuta mema kwa bidii pia anatafuta kibali, bali yule atafutaye ubaya atapata ubaya.
He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour: but he that searcheth after mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 Wale wanaotumaini utajiri wataanguka, bali kama jani, wale watendao haki watasitawi.
He that trusteth 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 that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 Wale watendao haki watakuwa kama mti wa uzima, lakini vurugu huondoa uzima.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.
31 Tazama! Ikiwa wale watendao haki hupokea wanachositahili, je si zaidi kwa waovu na wenye dhambi!
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner!
