Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya baba yake, bali mwenye dhihaka hatasikiliza karipio.
A wise son is the doctrine of his father. But he who ridicules does not listen when he is reproved.
2 Mtu hufurahia vitu vizuri kutokana na matunda ya kinywa chake, bali hamu ya wadanganyifu ni jeuri.
From the fruit of his own mouth, a man shall be satisfied with good things. But the soul of betrayers is iniquity.
3 Yeye anayelinda kinywa chake huyalinda maisha, bali anayefumbua sana midomo yake atajiangamiza mwenyewe.
Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.
4 Hamu ya watu wavivu ni uchu lakini hawapati kitu, bali hamu ya watu wenye bidii hutoshelezwa sana.
The lazy one is willing and then not willing. But the soul of he who labors shall be made fat.
5 Atendaye haki huchukia uongo, bali mtu mwovu hukinzana mwenyewe, na kufanya ya kuaibisha.
The just shall detest a lying word. But the impious confound and will be confounded.
6 Wenye haki huwalinda wale ambao ni wakamilifu katika mapito yao, bali uovu huwaangusha wale watendao dhambi.
Justice guards the way of the innocent. But impiety undermines the sinner.
7 Kuna mtu ambaye hujitajirisha mwenyewe, lakini hana chochote na kuna mtu ambaye hutoa kila kitu, bado ni tajiri kweli.
One is like the rich, though he has nothing. And another is like the poor, though he has many riches.
8 Mtu tajiri anaweza kufidia maisha yake kwa mali zake, bali mtu masikini hatapokea kitisho cha aina hiyo.
The redemption of a man’s life is his riches. But he who is poor cannot tolerate correction.
9 Mwanga wa mtu atendaye haki hufurahia, bali taa ya waovu itazimika.
The light of the just enriches. But the lamp of the impious will be extinguished.
10 Kiburi huzaa mafarakano, bali kwa wale wasikiao shauri jema kuna hekima.
Among the arrogant, there are always conflicts. But those who do everything with counsel are ruled by wisdom.
11 Penye majivuno mengi utajiri hufifia, bali yeye apataye pesa kwa kufanya kazi kwa mkono wake pesa zake zitaongezeka.
Substance obtained in haste will be diminished. But what is collected by hand, little by little, shall be multiplied.
12 Tumaini linapoachwa, huvunja moyo, bali kukamilishwa kwa shauku ni mti wa uzima.
Hope, when it is delayed, afflicts the soul. The arrival of the desired is a tree of life.
13 Yule ambaye anadharau fundisho bado atakuwa chini ya utawala wake, bali yeye ambaye anaheshimu amri atapewa thawabu.
Whoever denounces something obligates himself for the future. But whoever fears a lesson shall turn away in peace. Deceitful souls wander into sins. The just are merciful and compassionate.
14 Mafundisho ya mtu mwenye hekima ni chemchemi ya uzima, yanakuondoa kutoka kwenye mitego ya mauti.
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, so that he may turn aside from the ruin of death.
15 Busara njema huleta fadhila, bali njia ya wadanganyifu haina mwisho.
Good doctrine bestows grace. In the way of the contemptuous, there is a chasm.
16 Watu wenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa kwa kila uamuzi, bali mpumbavu huonyesha upuuzi wake.
The discerning do everything with counsel. But whoever is senseless discloses his stupidity.
17 Mjumbe mbaya huangukia kwenye shida, bali balozi mwaminifu huleta upatanisho.
The messenger of the impious will fall into evil. But a faithful ambassador shall prosper.
18 Yeye ambaye hupuuza kurudiwa atapata umasikini na aibu, bali heshima itamjia yeye ambaye hujifunza kutokana na masahihisho.
Destitution and disgrace are for those who abandon discipline. But whoever agrees with a reproof shall be glorified.
19 Shauku iliyotambuliwa ni tamu kwa hamu, bali wapumbavu huchukia kuacha uovu.
The desired, when perfected, shall delight the soul. The foolish detest those who flee from evils.
20 Tembea pamoja na watu wenye hekima nawe utakuwa na hekima, bali rafiki wa wapumbavu atateseka.
Whoever keeps step with the wise shall be wise. A friend of the foolish will become like them.
21 Maafa huwakimbilia wenye dhambi, bali wale watendao haki hupewa thawabu kwa mema.
Evil pursues sinners. And good things shall be distributed to the just.
22 Mtu mwema huacha urithi kwa wajukuu wake, bali mali ya mwenye dhambi huwekwa akiba kwa yule atendaye haki.
The good leave behind heirs: children and grandchildren. And the substance of the sinner is preserved for the just.
23 Shamba la masikini lisilolimwa linaweza huzalisha chakula kingi, bali huchukuliwa kwa udhalimu.
Much nourishment is in the fallow land of the fathers. But for others, it is gathered without judgment.
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 urgently instructs him.
25 Yeye atendaye haki hula hadi kutosheleza hamu yake bali tumbo la mwovu linanjaa daima.
The just eats and fills his soul. But the belly of the impious is never satisfied.
