Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.
Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.
Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
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 keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea urithi mwema.
Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa na hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu maskini mwenye ufahamu atamfichua.
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 Wakati waovu watawalapo, watu huenda mafichoni, bali waovu wanapoangamia, wenye haki hufanikiwa.
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
