Mithali 28
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as 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.
In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked; but those who keep the Law contend with them.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek YHWH understand it fully.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
Whoever keeps the Law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames 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 increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 Kama mtu atageuzia mbali sikio lake 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 anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata 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 mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu masikini mwenye ufahamu atamtafuta.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
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 who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
Blessed is the man who is always reverent; but the one who hardens his heart will fall into evil.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
A prince who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will prolong his days.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
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 atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong." He is a partner with a destroyer.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in YHWH will prosper.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
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 thrive.
