Mithali 11
1 Bwana huchukia sana mizani za udanganyifu, bali vipimo sahihi ni furaha yake.
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD; but a perfect weight is His delight.
2 Kiburi kinapokuja, ndipo huja aibu, bali unyenyekevu huja na hekima.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 Uadilifu wa wenye haki huwaongoza, bali wasio waaminifu huharibiwa na hila yao.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness of the faithless shall destroy them.
4 Utajiri haufaidi kitu katika siku ya ghadhabu, bali haki huokoa kutoka mautini.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 Haki ya wasio na lawama, huwatengenezea njia iliyonyooka, bali waovu huangushwa kwa uovu wao wenyewe.
The righteousness of the sincere shall make straight his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6 Haki ya wanyofu huwaokoa, bali wasio waaminifu hunaswa na tamaa mbaya.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; but the faithless shall be trapped in their own crafty device.
7 Wakati mtu mwovu anapokufa, matumaini yake hutoweka; yote aliyoyatazamia kutokana na nguvu zake huwa si kitu.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish, and the hope of strength perisheth.
8 Mtu mwenye haki huokolewa kutoka taabu, naye mtu mwovu huingia humo badala yake.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 Kwa kinywa chake mtu asiyemwamini Mungu humwangamiza jirani yake, bali kwa maarifa mwenye haki huokolewa.
With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.
10 Wakati mwenye haki anapofanikiwa, mji hufurahi; mwovu atowekapo, kuna kelele za furaha.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is joy.
11 Kutokana na baraka ya mtu mnyofu mji hukwezwa, bali kwa kinywa cha mwovu mji huharibiwa.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Mtu asiye na akili humdharau jirani yake, bali mtu mwenye ufahamu huuzuia ulimi wake.
He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding; but a man of discernment holdeth his peace.
13 Masengenyo husaliti tumaini, bali mtu mwaminifu hutunza siri.
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.
14 Pasipo ushauri wa hekima taifa huanguka, bali washauri wengi hufanya ushindi uwe wa hakika.
Where no wise direction is, a people falleth; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 Yeye amdhaminiye mgeni hakika atateseka, bali yeyote akataaye kuunga mkono dhamana ni salama.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; but he that hateth them that strike hands is secure.
16 Mwanamke mwenye moyo wa huruma hupata heshima, bali wanaume wakorofi hupata mali tu.
A gracious woman obtaineth honour; and strong men obtain riches.
17 Mwenye huruma hujinufaisha mwenyewe, bali mkatili hujiletea taabu mwenyewe.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 Mtu mwovu hupata ujira wa udanganyifu, bali yeye apandaye haki huvuna tuzo ya uhakika.
The wicked earneth deceitful wages; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19 Mtu mwenye haki kweli kweli hupata uzima, bali yeye afuatiliaye ubaya huendea kifo chake.
Stedfast righteousness tendeth to life; but he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 Bwana huwachukia sana watu wenye moyo wa upotovu, bali hupendezwa na wale ambao njia zao hazina lawama.
They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD; but such as are upright in their way are His delight.
21 Uwe na hakika na hili: Waovu hawataepuka kuadhibiwa, bali wenye haki watakuwa huru.
My hand upon it! the evil man shall not be unpunished; but the seed of the righteous shall escape.
22 Kama pete ya dhahabu katika pua ya nguruwe ndivyo alivyo mwanamke mzuri ambaye hana busara.
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman that turneth aside from discretion.
23 Shauku ya mwenye haki huishia tu kwenye mema, bali tumaini la mwovu huishia tu kwenye ghadhabu.
The desire of the righteous is only good; but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 Kuna mtu atoaye kwa ukarimu, hata hivyo hupata zaidi, mwingine huzuia, lakini huwa maskini.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want.
25 Mtu mkarimu atastawi; yeye awaburudishaye wengine ataburudishwa mwenyewe.
The beneficent soul shall be made rich, and he that satisfieth abundantly shall be satisfied also himself.
26 Watu humlaani mtu awanyimae watu nafaka, bali baraka itamkalia kichwani kama taji yeye aliye radhi kuiuza.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 Yeye atafutaye mema hupata ukarimu, bali ubaya huja kwake yeye autafutaye.
He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for evil, it shall come unto him.
28 Yeyote ategemeaye utajiri wake ataanguka, bali mwenye haki atastawi kama jani bichi.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as foliage.
29 Yeye aletaye taabu kwa jamaa yake atarithi tu upepo, naye mpumbavu atakuwa mtumishi wa wenye hekima.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; and the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 Tunda la mwenye haki ni mti wa uzima, naye mwenye hekima huvuta roho za watu.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that is wise winneth souls.
31 Kama wenye haki watapokea ujira wao duniani, si zaidi sana yule asiyemcha Mungu na mwenye dhambi?
Behold, the righteous shall be requited in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!
