Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
Whoso loveth discipline loveth knowledge, but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 Yehova humpa fadhila mtu mwema, bali mtu ambaye hufanya mipango ya ufisada atahukumiwa.
A good [man] obtaineth favour of Jehovah; but a man of mischievous devices will he condemn.
3 Mtu hawezi kuimarishwa kwa uovu, bali wale watendao haki hawawezi kung'olewa.
A man shall not be established by wickedness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 Mke mwema ni taji ya mume wake, bali yule aletaye aibu ni kama ugonjwa unaoozesha mifupa yake.
A woman of worth is a crown to her husband; but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 Mipango ya wale watendao haki ni adili, bali shauri la mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The thoughts of the righteous are right; the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 Maneno ya watu waovu ni uviziaji unaosubiri nafasi ya kuua, bali maneno ya mwenye haki yatawatunza salama.
The words of the wicked are a lying-in-wait for blood; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Watu waovu wametupwa na kuondolewa, bali nyumba ya wale watendao haki itasimama.
Overthrow the wicked, and they are no [more]; but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kwa kadri ya hekima yake, bali yule anayechagua ukaidi hudharauliwa.
A man is commended according to his wisdom; but he that is of a perverted heart shall be despised.
9 Bora kuwa na cheo duni- kuwa mtumishi tu- kuliko kujisifu kuhusu ukuu wako bila kuwa na chakula.
Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 Yule atendaye haki anajali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man is concerned for the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 Yule atendaye kazi katika shamba lake atapata chakula tele, bali anayesaka miradi duni hana akili.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
12 Watu waovu hutamani wanavyoiba watu wabaya kutoka kwa wengine, bali tunda la wale watendao haki hutoka kwao mwenyewe.
The wicked desireth the net of evil [men]; but the root of the righteous yieldeth [fruit].
13 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwa maongezi yake mabaya, bali wale watendao haki hujinasua katika taabu.
In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth out of trouble.
14 Mtu hushiba vitu vyema kutokana na tunda la maneno yake, kama vile kazi ya mikono yake inavyompa thawabu.
A man is satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 Njia ya mpumbavu ni sawa machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu wa hekima husikiliza ushauri.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha hasira yake papo hapo, bali asiyejali tusi ni mwenye busara.
The vexation of the fool is presently known; but a prudent [man] covereth shame.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.
18 Maneno yake asemaye kwa pupa ni kama kurusha upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 Midomo yenye kweli itadumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo ni kwa kitambo kidogo tu.
The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Kuna udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale wanaopanga kutenda uovu, bali furaha hutoka kwa washauri wa amani.
Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 Hakuna ugonjwa utakaowajia wale watendao haki, bali watu waovu watajazwa matatizo.
There shall no evil happen to a righteous [man]; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Yehova anachukia midomo ya uongo, bali wale ambao huishi kwa uaminifu ndiyo furaha yake.
Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara anasitiri maarifa yake, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hupiga yowe za kipumbavu.
A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.
24 Mkono wa mwenye bidii utatawala, bali watu wavivu watawekwa katika kazi za kulazimishwa.
The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful [hand] shall be under tribute.
25 Mashaka katika moyo wa mtu humwelemea, bali neno zuri humfurahisha.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.
26 Mwenye haki ni kiongozi kwa rafiki yake, bali njia ya waovu huwaongoza katika kupotea.
The righteous guideth his neighbour; but the way of the wicked misleadeth them.
27 Watu wavivu hawawezi kubanika mawindo yao wenyewe, bali mtu wenye bidii atapata mali zenye thamani.
The slothful roasteth not what he took in hunting; but man's precious substance is to the diligent.
28 Wale ambao wanatembea katika njia ya haki wanapata uzima na katika mapito hayo hakuna kifo.
In the path of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
