Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but the one who hates correction is stupid.
2 Yehova humpa fadhila mtu mwema, bali mtu ambaye hufanya mipango ya ufisada atahukumiwa.
Yahweh gives favor to a good man, but he condemns a man who makes evil plans.
3 Mtu hawezi kuimarishwa kwa uovu, bali wale watendao haki hawawezi kung'olewa.
A person cannot be established by wickedness, but righteous people cannot be uprooted.
4 Mke mwema ni taji ya mume wake, bali yule aletaye aibu ni kama ugonjwa unaoozesha mifupa yake.
A worthy wife is her husband's crown, but she who brings shame is like a disease that rots his bones.
5 Mipango ya wale watendao haki ni adili, bali shauri la mwovu ni udanganyifu.
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 Maneno ya watu waovu ni uviziaji unaosubiri nafasi ya kuua, bali maneno ya mwenye haki yatawatunza salama.
The words of wicked people are an ambush waiting for a chance to kill, but the words of the upright keep them safe.
7 Watu waovu wametupwa na kuondolewa, bali nyumba ya wale watendao haki itasimama.
Wicked people are overthrown and they are gone, but the house of the righteous person will stand.
8 Mtu husifiwa kwa kadri ya hekima yake, bali yule anayechagua ukaidi hudharauliwa.
A person is praised by how much wisdom he has, but the one who makes perverse choices is despised.
9 Bora kuwa na cheo duni- kuwa mtumishi tu- kuliko kujisifu kuhusu ukuu wako bila kuwa na chakula.
Better to have an unimportant position—only being a servant— than to brag about your importance but have no food.
10 Yule atendaye haki anajali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
The righteous person cares about the needs of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
11 Yule atendaye kazi katika shamba lake atapata chakula tele, bali anayesaka miradi duni hana akili.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases after worthless projects has no sense.
12 Watu waovu hutamani wanavyoiba watu wabaya kutoka kwa wengine, bali tunda la wale watendao haki hutoka kwao mwenyewe.
The wicked person desires what evil men have stolen from others, but the fruit of righteous people comes from themselves.
13 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwa maongezi yake mabaya, bali wale watendao haki hujinasua katika taabu.
An evil person is trapped by his wicked talk, but the righteous person escapes from 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 words a person is filled with good things, just as the work of his hands rewards 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 a wise man listens to advice.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha hasira yake papo hapo, bali asiyejali tusi ni mwenye busara.
A fool shows his anger at once, but one who ignores an insult is prudent.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
The one who speaks the truth says what is right, but a false witness tells lies.
18 Maneno yake asemaye kwa pupa ni kama kurusha upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
The words of one who speaks rashly are like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Midomo yenye kweli itadumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo ni kwa kitambo kidogo tu.
Truthful lips last forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Kuna udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale wanaopanga kutenda uovu, bali furaha hutoka kwa washauri wa amani.
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plan to do evil, but joy comes to the advisors of peace.
21 Hakuna ugonjwa utakaowajia wale watendao haki, bali watu waovu watajazwa matatizo.
No ill comes on the righteous person, but wicked people are filled with difficulties.
22 Yehova anachukia midomo ya uongo, bali wale ambao huishi kwa uaminifu ndiyo furaha yake.
Yahweh hates lying lips, but those who live faithfully are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara anasitiri maarifa yake, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hupiga yowe za kipumbavu.
A prudent man conceals his knowledge, but the heart of fools shouts out folly.
24 Mkono wa mwenye bidii utatawala, bali watu wavivu watawekwa katika kazi za kulazimishwa.
The hand of the diligent will rule, but lazy people will be put to forced labor.
25 Mashaka katika moyo wa mtu humwelemea, bali neno zuri humfurahisha.
Anxiety in the heart of a person weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26 Mwenye haki ni kiongozi kwa rafiki yake, bali njia ya waovu huwaongoza katika kupotea.
The righteous person is a guide for his friend, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 Watu wavivu hawawezi kubanika mawindo yao wenyewe, bali mtu wenye bidii atapata mali zenye thamani.
Lazy people would not roast their own game, but the diligent man will obtain precious wealth.
28 Wale ambao wanatembea katika njia ya haki wanapata uzima na katika mapito hayo hakuna kifo.
Those who walk in the right way find life and in its path there is no death.
