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.
By the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; but by a man of understanding [and] of knowledge, [its] stability is prolonged.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A poor man who oppresseth the helpless is 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 judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything.
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, double in ways, though he be rich.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
Whoso observeth the law is a son that hath understanding; but he that is a companion of profligates bringeth shame to 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 by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to 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, shall himself fall 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.
A rich man is wise in his own eyes; 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 conceal 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 always; but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into evil.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
A roaring lion, and a ranging bear, 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 void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: 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 laden with the blood of [any] person, fleeth to the pit: let no man stay him.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
Whoso walketh in integrity shall be saved; but he that is perverted in [his] double ways, shall fall in one [of them].
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A faithful man aboundeth with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
To have respect of persons is not good; but for a piece of bread will a man transgress.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, and knoweth not that poverty 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 afterwards find more favour 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 and 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 puffed up in soul exciteth contention; but he that relieth upon Jehovah shall be made fat.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
He that confideth 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 withdraweth 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.
