Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
A lover of training is a lover of knowledge; but a hater of teaching is like a beast.
2 Yehova humpa fadhila mtu mwema, bali mtu ambaye hufanya mipango ya ufisada atahukumiwa.
A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.
3 Mtu hawezi kuimarishwa kwa uovu, bali wale watendao haki hawawezi kung'olewa.
No man will make himself safe through evil-doing; but the root of upright men will never be moved.
4 Mke mwema ni taji ya mume wake, bali yule aletaye aibu ni kama ugonjwa unaoozesha mifupa yake.
A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
5 Mipango ya wale watendao haki ni adili, bali shauri la mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The purposes of upright men are right, but the designs of evil-doers are deceit.
6 Maneno ya watu waovu ni uviziaji unaosubiri nafasi ya kuua, bali maneno ya mwenye haki yatawatunza salama.
The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
7 Watu waovu wametupwa na kuondolewa, bali nyumba ya wale watendao haki itasimama.
Evil-doers are overturned and never seen again, but the house of upright men will keep its place.
8 Mtu husifiwa kwa kadri ya hekima yake, bali yule anayechagua ukaidi hudharauliwa.
A man will be praised in the measure of his wisdom, but a wrong-minded man will be looked down on.
9 Bora kuwa na cheo duni- kuwa mtumishi tu- kuliko kujisifu kuhusu ukuu wako bila kuwa na chakula.
He who is of low position and has a servant, is better than one who has a high opinion of himself and is in need of bread.
10 Yule atendaye haki anajali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
An upright man has thought for the life of his beast, but the hearts of evil-doers are cruel.
11 Yule atendaye kazi katika shamba lake atapata chakula tele, bali anayesaka miradi duni hana akili.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
12 Watu waovu hutamani wanavyoiba watu wabaya kutoka kwa wengine, bali tunda la wale watendao haki hutoka kwao mwenyewe.
The resting-place of the sinner will come to destruction, but the root of upright men is for ever.
13 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwa maongezi yake mabaya, bali wale watendao haki hujinasua katika taabu.
In the sin of the lips is a net which takes the sinner, but the upright man will come out of trouble.
14 Mtu hushiba vitu vyema kutokana na tunda la maneno yake, kama vile kazi ya mikono yake inavyompa thawabu.
From the fruit of his mouth will a man have good food in full measure, and the work of a man's hands will be rewarded.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu ni sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu wa hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha hasira yake papo hapo, bali asiyejali tusi ni mwenye busara.
A foolish man lets his trouble be openly seen, but a sharp man keeps shame secret.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
The breathing out of true words gives knowledge of righteousness; but a false witness gives out deceit.
18 Maneno yake asemaye kwa pupa ni kama kurusha upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
19 Midomo yenye kweli itadumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo ni kwa kitambo kidogo tu.
True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.
20 Kuna udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale wanaopanga kutenda uovu, bali furaha hutoka kwa washauri wa amani.
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
21 Hakuna ugonjwa utakaowajia wale watendao haki, bali watu waovu watajazwa matatizo.
No trouble will come to upright men, but sinners will be full of evil.
22 Yehova anachukia midomo ya uongo, bali wale ambao huishi kwa uaminifu ndiyo furaha yake.
False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara anasitiri maarifa yake, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hupiga yowe za kipumbavu.
A sharp man keeps back his knowledge; but the heart of foolish men makes clear their foolish thoughts.
24 Mkono wa mwenye bidii utatawala, bali watu wavivu watawekwa katika kazi za kulazimishwa.
The hand of the ready worker will have authority, but he who is slow in his work will be put to forced work.
25 Mashaka katika moyo wa mtu humwelemea, bali neno zuri humfurahisha.
Care in the heart of a man makes it weighted down, but a good word makes it glad.
26 Mwenye haki ni kiongozi kwa rafiki yake, bali njia ya waovu huwaongoza katika kupotea.
The upright man is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of evil-doers is a cause of error to them.
27 Watu wavivu hawawezi kubanika mawindo yao wenyewe, bali mtu wenye bidii atapata mali zenye thamani.
He who is slow in his work does not go in search of food; but the ready worker gets much wealth.
28 Wale ambao wanatembea katika njia ya haki wanapata uzima na katika mapito hayo hakuna kifo.
In the road of righteousness is life, but the way of the evil-doer goes to death.
