Mithali 28
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The ungodly [man] flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion.
2 Kwa sababu ya uhalifu wa nchi, kuna wakuu wengi, bali kwa mtu mwenye ufahamu na maarifa, itadumu kwa muda mrefu.
By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Evil men will not understand judgment: but they that seek the Lord will understand everything.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
A poor man walking in truth is better than a rich liar.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
A wise son keeps the law: but he that keeps up debauchery dishonours 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 increases his wealth by usuries and [unjust] gains, gathers it for him that pities the poor.
9 Kama mtu atageuzia mbali sikio lake kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even he has made his prayer abominable.
10 Yeye anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata urithi mwema.
He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressor also shall pass by prosperity, but shall not enter into it.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu masikini mwenye ufahamu atamtafuta.
A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him.
12 Kunapokuwa na ushindi kwa wenye kutenda haki, kunafuraha kuu, bali wanapoinuka waovu, watu hujificha wenyewe.
By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali mwenye kutubu na kuziacha ataonyeshwa rehema.
He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames [himself] shall be loved.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
Blessed is the man who religiously fears always: but the hard of heart shall fall into mischiefs.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf [is he], who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
He that becomes surety for a man charged with murder shall be an exile, and not in safety. Chasten thy son, and he shall love thee, and give honour to thy soul: he shall not obey a sinful nation.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
He that walks justly is assisted: but he that walks in crooked ways shall be entangled [therein].
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
He that reverences not the persons of the just is not good: such a one will sell a man for a morsel of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
He that reproves a man's ways shall have more favour than he that flatters with the tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
He that trusts to a bold heart, such an one is a fool: but he that walks in wisdom shall be safe.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
He that gives to the poor shall not be in want: but he that turns away his eye [from him] shall be in great distress.
28 Watu waovu wanapoinuka, watu hujificha wenyewe, lakini watu waovu wataangamia, wale watendao haki wataongezeka.
In the places of ungodly [men] the righteous mourn: but in their destruction the righteous shall be multiplied.
