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 secure as a young 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 princes thereof; but by a man of understanding and knowledge established order shall long continue.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A poor man that oppresseth the weak is like 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 justice; but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
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 in his ways, though he be rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
A wise son observeth the teaching; but he that is a companion of gluttonous men shameth his father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, 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, he shall fall himself into his own pit; but the whole-hearted 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 eyes; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him through.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When the righteous exult, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men must be sought for.
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 alway; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; but 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 that is laden with the blood of any person shall hasten his steps unto the pit; none will support him.
18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that 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 that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; but he that followeth after vain things 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 that maketh 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; for a man will transgress for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
He that hath an evil eye hasteneth after riches, and knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
He that rebuketh a man shall in the end 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 or 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 of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be abundantly gratified.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall escape.
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 hideth 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.
