Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
Whoso loveth instruction 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 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 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: [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 hath a servant, [is] better 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] regardeth 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 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 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.
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 recompence 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 hearkeneth unto 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] covereth shame.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
[He that] speaketh 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 speaketh 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 concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth 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 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 [is] more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 Watu wavivu hawawezi kubanika mawindo yao wenyewe, bali mtu wenye bidii atapata mali zenye thamani.
The slothful [man] roasteth 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.
