Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish.
2 Yehova humpa fadhila mtu mwema, bali mtu ambaye hufanya mipango ya ufisada atahukumiwa.
A good man obtains favor of the LORD: but a man of wicked 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 virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes 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: but 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 to lie 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.
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kwa kadri ya hekima yake, bali yule anayechagua ukaidi hudharauliwa.
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 Bora kuwa na cheo duni- kuwa mtumishi tu- kuliko kujisifu kuhusu ukuu wako bila kuwa na chakula.
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
10 Yule atendaye haki anajali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man regards 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 tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows vain persons 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 desires the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwa maongezi yake mabaya, bali wale watendao haki hujinasua katika taabu.
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 Mtu hushiba vitu vyema kutokana na tunda la maneno yake, kama vile kazi ya mikono yake inavyompa thawabu.
A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered to 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 listens to counsel is wise.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha hasira yake papo hapo, bali asiyejali tusi ni mwenye busara.
A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
He that speaks truth shows 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 speaks 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 imagine 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 the just: 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 abomination to the LORD: 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 conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
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 shall be under tribute.
25 Mashaka katika moyo wa mtu humwelemea, bali neno zuri humfurahisha.
Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.
26 Mwenye haki ni kiongozi kwa rafiki yake, bali njia ya waovu huwaongoza katika kupotea.
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduces them.
27 Watu wavivu hawawezi kubanika mawindo yao wenyewe, bali mtu wenye bidii atapata mali zenye thamani.
The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 Wale ambao wanatembea katika njia ya haki wanapata uzima na katika mapito hayo hakuna kifo.
In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
