Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; 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.
By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
They that 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 understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse, double in ways, though he be rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to his father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
He that turneth 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.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, shall himself fall 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.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth 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 conceal themselves.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [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 that feareth always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
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 prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
A man laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth 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.
Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
Whoso robbeth his father and his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
He that is puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
He that confideth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that withdraweth 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.
