< Mithali 13 >
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya baba yake, bali mwenye dhihaka hatasikiliza karipio.
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
2 Mtu hufurahia vitu vizuri kutokana na matunda ya kinywa chake, bali hamu ya wadanganyifu ni jeuri.
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
3 Yeye anayelinda kinywa chake huyalinda maisha, bali anayefumbua sana midomo yake atajiangamiza mwenyewe.
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.
4 Hamu ya watu wavivu ni uchu lakini hawapati kitu, bali hamu ya watu wenye bidii hutoshelezwa sana.
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
5 Atendaye haki huchukia uongo, bali mtu mwovu hukinzana mwenyewe, na kufanya ya kuaibisha.
The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.
6 Wenye haki huwalinda wale ambao ni wakamilifu katika mapito yao, bali uovu huwaangusha wale watendao dhambi.
Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.
7 Kuna mtu ambaye hujitajirisha mwenyewe, lakini hana chochote na kuna mtu ambaye hutoa kila kitu, bado ni tajiri kweli.
One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 Mtu tajiri anaweza kufidia maisha yake kwa mali zake, bali mtu masikini hatapokea kitisho cha aina hiyo.
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
9 Mwanga wa mtu atendaye haki hufurahia, bali taa ya waovu itazimika.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10 Kiburi huzaa mafarakano, bali kwa wale wasikiao shauri jema kuna hekima.
Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
11 Penye majivuno mengi utajiri hufifia, bali yeye apataye pesa kwa kufanya kazi kwa mkono wake pesa zake zitaongezeka.
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
12 Tumaini linapoachwa, huvunja moyo, bali kukamilishwa kwa shauku ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Yule ambaye anadharau fundisho bado atakuwa chini ya utawala wake, bali yeye ambaye anaheshimu amri atapewa thawabu.
He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.
14 Mafundisho ya mtu mwenye hekima ni chemchemi ya uzima, yanakuondoa kutoka kwenye mitego ya mauti.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
15 Busara njema huleta fadhila, bali njia ya wadanganyifu haina mwisho.
Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
16 Watu wenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa kwa kila uamuzi, bali mpumbavu huonyesha upuuzi wake.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
17 Mjumbe mbaya huangukia kwenye shida, bali balozi mwaminifu huleta upatanisho.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Yeye ambaye hupuuza kurudiwa atapata umasikini na aibu, bali heshima itamjia yeye ambaye hujifunza kutokana na masahihisho.
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 Shauku iliyotambuliwa ni tamu kwa hamu, bali wapumbavu huchukia kuacha uovu.
Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.
20 Tembea pamoja na watu wenye hekima nawe utakuwa na hekima, bali rafiki wa wapumbavu atateseka.
He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Maafa huwakimbilia wenye dhambi, bali wale watendao haki hupewa thawabu kwa mema.
Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 Mtu mwema huacha urithi kwa wajukuu wake, bali mali ya mwenye dhambi huwekwa akiba kwa yule atendaye haki.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
23 Shamba la masikini lisilolimwa linaweza huzalisha chakula kingi, bali huchukuliwa kwa udhalimu.
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.
24 Yeye ambaye hamrudi mwanawe humchukia, bali yule anayempenda mwanawe humjali kwa kumwadibisha.
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
25 Yeye atendaye haki hula hadi kutosheleza hamu yake bali tumbo la mwovu linanjaa daima.
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.