Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya baba yake, bali mwenye dhihaka hatasikiliza karipio.
A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
2 Mtu hufurahia vitu vizuri kutokana na matunda ya kinywa chake, bali hamu ya wadanganyifu ni jeuri.
By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
3 Yeye anayelinda kinywa chake huyalinda maisha, bali anayefumbua sana midomo yake atajiangamiza mwenyewe.
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 Hamu ya watu wavivu ni uchu lakini hawapati kitu, bali hamu ya watu wenye bidii hutoshelezwa sana.
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
5 Atendaye haki huchukia uongo, bali mtu mwovu hukinzana mwenyewe, na kufanya ya kuaibisha.
A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
6 Wenye haki huwalinda wale ambao ni wakamilifu katika mapito yao, bali uovu huwaangusha wale watendao dhambi.
Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 Kuna mtu ambaye hujitajirisha mwenyewe, lakini hana chochote na kuna mtu ambaye hutoa kila kitu, bado ni tajiri kweli.
There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
8 Mtu tajiri anaweza kufidia maisha yake kwa mali zake, bali mtu masikini hatapokea kitisho cha aina hiyo.
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
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 snuffed out.
10 Kiburi huzaa mafarakano, bali kwa wale wasikiao shauri jema kuna hekima.
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
11 Penye majivuno mengi utajiri hufifia, bali yeye apataye pesa kwa kufanya kazi kwa mkono wake pesa zake zitaongezeka.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
12 Tumaini linapoachwa, huvunja moyo, bali kukamilishwa kwa shauku ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Yule ambaye anadharau fundisho bado atakuwa chini ya utawala wake, bali yeye ambaye anaheshimu amri atapewa thawabu.
Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he 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 spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
15 Busara njema huleta fadhila, bali njia ya wadanganyifu haina mwisho.
Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Watu wenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa kwa kila uamuzi, bali mpumbavu huonyesha upuuzi wake.
Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
17 Mjumbe mbaya huangukia kwenye shida, bali balozi mwaminifu huleta upatanisho.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains 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 refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honoured.
19 Shauku iliyotambuliwa ni tamu kwa hamu, bali wapumbavu huchukia kuacha uovu.
Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Tembea pamoja na watu wenye hekima nawe utakuwa na hekima, bali rafiki wa wapumbavu atateseka.
One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Maafa huwakimbilia wenye dhambi, bali wale watendao haki hupewa thawabu kwa mema.
Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards 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 wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
23 Shamba la masikini lisilolimwa linaweza huzalisha chakula kingi, bali huchukuliwa kwa udhalimu.
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Yeye ambaye hamrudi mwanawe humchukia, bali yule anayempenda mwanawe humjali kwa kumwadibisha.
One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
25 Yeye atendaye haki hula hadi kutosheleza hamu yake bali tumbo la mwovu linanjaa daima.
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
