Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
The wicked run away even when no one is chasing them, but the good have the trusting boldness of lions.
2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.
When a country is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but a ruler who is wise and knowledgeable provides strength and continuity.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
When someone poor oppresses the poor, it's like heavy rain that beats down the crops.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
People who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.
Evil people understand nothing about justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
Better to be poor and have integrity than to be devious and rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
If you keep the law, you're a wise son, but if you keep bad company you shame your father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
Anyone who gets rich through charging interest and profiteering is only storing it up for someone who is kind to the poor.
9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
God hates the prayers of people who disregard the law.
10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea urithi mwema.
Those who lead good people astray into evil ways will fall into their own traps, but the innocent will receive a good reward.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa na hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu maskini mwenye ufahamu atamfichua.
The rich see themselves as wise, but poor people with insight see right through them.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When good people win, everyone celebrates, but when the wicked come to power, people hide.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
People who hide their sins won't succeed, but those who confess and renounce their sins will be shown kindness.
14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.
Blessed are those who always respect the Lord, but those who are stubborn end up in a lot of trouble.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
A wicked ruler lording it over poor people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
An unwise ruler thoroughly extorts his people, but one who refuses to profit illegally will live long.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
Someone guilty of murder will go on running away from it until they die. Don't try and stop them.
18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
If you have integrity, you'll be kept safe, but if you live deviously, you'll fall.
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
If you're trustworthy, you'll be richly rewarded; but if you try to get rich quick, you won't go unpunished.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
Showing favoritism isn't good, but some people will do wrong just for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
Honest criticism is appreciated later far more than flattery.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
A man who robs his father and mother, and says, “It's not a crime,” is one step away from becoming a murderer.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
Greedy people stir up trouble, but those who trust in the Lord will be successful.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
People who trust their own minds are foolish, but those who follow wise ways will be kept safe.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
28 Wakati waovu watawalapo, watu huenda mafichoni, bali waovu wanapoangamia, wenye haki hufanikiwa.
When the wicked come to power, people hide; but when they fall, the good do well.
