Mithali 13
1 Mwana mwenye hekima husikia mafundisho ya baba yake, bali mwenye dhihaka hatasikiliza karipio.
A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed.
2 Mtu hufurahia vitu vizuri kutokana na matunda ya kinywa chake, bali hamu ya wadanganyifu ni jeuri.
A good [man] shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time.
3 Yeye anayelinda kinywa chake huyalinda maisha, bali anayefumbua sana midomo yake atajiangamiza mwenyewe.
He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself.
4 Hamu ya watu wavivu ni uchu lakini hawapati kitu, bali hamu ya watu wenye bidii hutoshelezwa sana.
Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent.
5 Atendaye haki huchukia uongo, bali mtu mwovu hukinzana mwenyewe, na kufanya ya kuaibisha.
A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence.
6 Wenye haki huwalinda wale ambao ni wakamilifu katika mapito yao, bali uovu huwaangusha wale watendao dhambi.
7 Kuna mtu ambaye hujitajirisha mwenyewe, lakini hana chochote na kuna mtu ambaye hutoa kila kitu, bado ni tajiri kweli.
There are [some] who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are [some] who bring themselves down in [the midst of] much wealth.
8 Mtu tajiri anaweza kufidia maisha yake kwa mali zake, bali mtu masikini hatapokea kitisho cha aina hiyo.
A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening.
9 Mwanga wa mtu atendaye haki hufurahia, bali taa ya waovu itazimika.
The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched. Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are merciful.
10 Kiburi huzaa mafarakano, bali kwa wale wasikiao shauri jema kuna hekima.
A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise.
11 Penye majivuno mengi utajiri hufifia, bali yeye apataye pesa kwa kufanya kazi kwa mkono wake pesa zake zitaongezeka.
Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends.
12 Tumaini linapoachwa, huvunja moyo, bali kukamilishwa kwa shauku ni mti wa uzima.
Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads [another] to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life.
13 Yule ambaye anadharau fundisho bado atakuwa chini ya utawala wake, bali yeye ambaye anaheshimu amri atapewa thawabu.
He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health [of soul]. To a crafty son there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way shall be directed aright.
14 Mafundisho ya mtu mwenye hekima ni chemchemi ya uzima, yanakuondoa kutoka kwenye mitego ya mauti.
The law of the wise is fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare.
15 Busara njema huleta fadhila, bali njia ya wadanganyifu haina mwisho.
Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction.
16 Watu wenye busara hutenda kwa maarifa kwa kila uamuzi, bali mpumbavu huonyesha upuuzi wake.
Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief.
17 Mjumbe mbaya huangukia kwenye shida, bali balozi mwaminifu huleta upatanisho.
A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him.
18 Yeye ambaye hupuuza kurudiwa atapata umasikini na aibu, bali heshima itamjia yeye ambaye hujifunza kutokana na masahihisho.
Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honoured.
19 Shauku iliyotambuliwa ni tamu kwa hamu, bali wapumbavu huchukia kuacha uovu.
The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge.
20 Tembea pamoja na watu wenye hekima nawe utakuwa na hekima, bali rafiki wa wapumbavu atateseka.
If you walk with wise men you shall be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known.
21 Maafa huwakimbilia wenye dhambi, bali wale watendao haki hupewa thawabu kwa mema.
Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous.
22 Mtu mwema huacha urithi kwa wajukuu wake, bali mali ya mwenye dhambi huwekwa akiba kwa yule atendaye haki.
A good man shall inherit children's children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just.
23 Shamba la masikini lisilolimwa linaweza huzalisha chakula kingi, bali huchukuliwa kwa udhalimu.
The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly.
24 Yeye ambaye hamrudi mwanawe humchukia, bali yule anayempenda mwanawe humjali kwa kumwadibisha.
He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens [him].
25 Yeye atendaye haki hula hadi kutosheleza hamu yake bali tumbo la mwovu linanjaa daima.
A just [man] eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in lack.
