Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.
Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
He who turns 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.
Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will 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 who has understanding sees through him.
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 hide themselves.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.
Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgement. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favour than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
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 thrive.
