Mithali 12
1 Anayependa mafundisho hupenda maarifa, bali yule anayechukia maonyo ni mpumbavu.
Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 Yehova humpa fadhila mtu mwema, bali mtu ambaye hufanya mipango ya ufisada atahukumiwa.
A good man shall obtain favor from Yahweh, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans.
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 worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife 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 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 the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Watu waovu wametupwa na kuondolewa, bali nyumba ya wale watendao haki itasimama.
The wicked are overthrown, and 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 shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he who has a warped mind shall be despised.
9 Bora kuwa na cheo duni- kuwa mtumishi tu- kuliko kujisifu kuhusu ukuu wako bila kuwa na chakula.
Better is he who is little known, and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
10 Yule atendaye haki anajali mahitaji ya mnyama wake, bali huruma ya mwovu ni ukatili.
A righteous man respects the life of his animal, 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 who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies 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 plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes.
13 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwa maongezi yake mabaya, bali wale watendao haki hujinasua katika taabu.
An evil man is trapped by sinfulness of lips, but the righteous 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. The work of a man’s hands shall be rewarded 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 who is wise listens to counsel.
16 Mpumbavu huonyesha hasira yake papo hapo, bali asiyejali tusi ni mwenye busara.
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17 Asemaye ukweli huongea ilivyo haki, bali shahidi wa uongo huongea uongo.
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18 Maneno yake asemaye kwa pupa ni kama kurusha upanga, bali ulimi wa mwenye hekima huleta uponyaji.
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19 Midomo yenye kweli itadumu milele, bali ulimi wa uongo ni kwa kitambo kidogo tu.
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20 Kuna udanganyifu katika mioyo ya wale wanaopanga kutenda uovu, bali furaha hutoka kwa washauri wa amani.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21 Hakuna ugonjwa utakaowajia wale watendao haki, bali watu waovu watajazwa matatizo.
No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22 Yehova anachukia midomo ya uongo, bali wale ambao huishi kwa uaminifu ndiyo furaha yake.
Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23 Mtu mwenye busara anasitiri maarifa yake, bali moyo wa wapumbavu hupiga yowe za kipumbavu.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
24 Mkono wa mwenye bidii utatawala, bali watu wavivu watawekwa katika kazi za kulazimishwa.
The hands of the diligent ones shall rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
25 Mashaka katika moyo wa mtu humwelemea, bali neno zuri humfurahisha.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad.
26 Mwenye haki ni kiongozi kwa rafiki yake, bali njia ya waovu huwaongoza katika kupotea.
A righteous person is cautious in friendship, 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.
The slothful man doesn’t roast his game, but the possessions of diligent men are prized.
28 Wale ambao wanatembea katika njia ya haki wanapata uzima na katika mapito hayo hakuna kifo.
In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
