Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
A wicked man flees when no man pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.
For the transgression of a land many are the rulers of it. But by men of understanding and knowledge the state shall be prolonged.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is a sweeping rain which leaves no food.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Jehovah understand all things.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
He who augments his substance by interest and increase, gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea urithi mwema.
He who causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit. But the perfect shall inherit good.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa na hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu maskini mwenye ufahamu atamfichua.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but a poor man who has understanding searches him out.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
He who covers his transgressions shall not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy.
14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.
Happy is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
A man who is laden with the blood of any person shall flee to the pit. Let no man stay him.
18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
He who walks uprightly shall be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity shall have poverty enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
To have respect of persons is not good, nor that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
He who has an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not know that want shall come upon him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
He who rebukes a man shall afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
He who robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
He who gives to the poor shall not lack, but he who hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 Wakati waovu watawalapo, watu huenda mafichoni, bali waovu wanapoangamia, wenye haki hufanikiwa.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
