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.
For the transgression of a land many [are] its princes: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor [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 judgment: 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 uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [is] rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
He who keepeth the law [is] a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous [men] shameth 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, he shall gather it for him that will pity 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 [shall be] abomination.
10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea urithi mwema.
Whoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good [things] in possession.
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 the poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When righteous [men] rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have 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 mischief.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
The prince that wanteth 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 doeth violence to 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 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 land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] 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 innocent.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
To have respect of persons [is] not good: for, for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth 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 afterward shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
He that 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 proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoever 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 to the poor shall not want: 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.
