Mithali 28
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2 Kwa sababu ya uhalifu wa nchi, kuna wakuu wengi, bali kwa mtu mwenye ufahamu na maarifa, itadumu kwa muda mrefu.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is [like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
8 Anayepata mafanikio kwa kutoza riba kubwa anakusanya utajiri wake kwa ajili ya mwingine ambaye atakuwa na huruma kwa watu masikini.
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu atageuzia mbali sikio lake 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 anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata urithi mwema.
Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu masikini mwenye ufahamu atamtafuta.
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12 Kunapokuwa na ushindi kwa wenye kutenda haki, kunafuraha kuu, bali wanapoinuka waovu, watu hujificha wenyewe.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali mwenye kutubu na kuziacha ataonyeshwa rehema.
He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; [But] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in [his] ways shall fall at once.
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
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 mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28 Watu waovu wanapoinuka, watu hujificha wenyewe, lakini watu waovu wataangamia, wale watendao haki wataongezeka.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
