Mithali 11
1 Yehova huchukia vipimo ambavyo havipo sahihi, bali hufurahia uzani dhahiri.
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight.
2 Kinapokuja kiburi, ndipo aibu huja, bali unyenyekevu huleta hekima.
When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes 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 don’t 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 blameless will 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 the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.
7 Mtu mwovu anapokufa, tumaini lake hupotea na tumaini lililokuwa katika nguvu zake linakuwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.
8 Yule atendaye haki hulindwa katika taabu na badala yake taabu humjia mwovu.
A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.
9 Kwa kinywa chake asiyeamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa wale watendao haki hulindwa salama.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbour, but the righteous will 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. 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.
One who despises his neighbour is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
13 Anayekwenda akizunguka kwa kukashifu hufunua siri, bali mtu mwaminifu hustiri jambo.
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
14 Pasipokuwa na uongozi wenye busara, taifa huanguka, bali ushindi huja kwa kushauriana washauri wengi.
Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counsellors there is victory.
15 Anayemdhamini mkopo wa mgeni ataumia kwa usumbufu, bali anayechukia kutoa rehani kwa namna ya ahadi yupo salama.
He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye rehema hupata heshima, bali watu wakorofi hufumbata utajiri.
A gracious woman obtains honour, but violent 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.
Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwaminifu atendaye haki ataishi, bali yeye atendaye uovu atakufa.
He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets 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 the LORD, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
21 Uwe na uhakika juu ya hili- watu waovu hawatakosa adhabu, bali uzao wa wale watendao haki watawekwa salama.
Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu kwenye pua ya nguruwe ndiyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri asiye na busara.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks 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 one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
25 Mtu mkarimu atafanikiwa na yule awapaye maji wengine atapata maji yake mwenyewe.
The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
26 Watu wanamlaani mtu ambaye hukataa kuuza nafaka, bali zawadi njema hufunika kichwa chake ambaye huuza nafaka.
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on 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 favour, 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 will 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. 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. He who is wise wins souls.
31 Tazama! Ikiwa wale watendao haki hupokea wanachositahili, je si zaidi kwa waovu na wenye dhambi!
Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
