Mithali 28
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.
2 Kwa sababu ya uhalifu wa nchi, kuna wakuu wengi, bali kwa mtu mwenye ufahamu na maarifa, itadumu kwa muda mrefu.
Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.
8 Anayepata mafanikio kwa kutoza riba kubwa anakusanya utajiri wake kwa ajili ya mwingine ambaye atakuwa na huruma kwa watu masikini.
He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu atageuzia mbali sikio lake kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.
10 Yeye anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata urithi mwema.
Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu masikini mwenye ufahamu atamtafuta.
The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.
12 Kunapokuwa na ushindi kwa wenye kutenda haki, kunafuraha kuu, bali wanapoinuka waovu, watu hujificha wenyewe.
When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali mwenye kutubu na kuziacha ataonyeshwa rehema.
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.
28 Watu waovu wanapoinuka, watu hujificha wenyewe, lakini watu waovu wataangamia, wale watendao haki wataongezeka.
When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.
