Mithali 28
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The wicked flee when no one pursueth; But the righteous is 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.
Through the transgression of a land many are its rulers; But through men of prudence and understanding the prince shall live long.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A poor man who oppresseth the needy Is a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
They who forsake the law praise the wicked; But they who keep the law contend with them.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Wicked men understand not equity; But they who seek the LORD understand all things.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
Better is a poor man who walketh in uprightness, Than he who 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.
He that keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is the companion of prodigals bringeth 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 that increaseth his substance by usurious gain Gathereth it for him who will pity 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 shall be an abomination.
10 Yeye anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata urithi mwema.
He that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way Shall himself fall into his own pit; But the upright shall have good things in possession.
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 man, who hath understanding, will search him through.
12 Kunapokuwa na ushindi kwa wenye kutenda haki, kunafuraha kuu, bali wanapoinuka waovu, watu hujificha wenyewe.
When the righteous rejoice, there is great glorying; But, when the wicked are exalted, men hide themselves.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali mwenye kutubu na kuziacha ataonyeshwa rehema.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; But he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
Happy the man who feareth always! But he who 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 hungry bear, So is a wicked ruler over a needy people.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
The prince who is weak in understanding is great in oppression; But he who hateth unjust gain shall prolong his days.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
A man who is burdened with life-blood—Let him flee to the pit! let no man stay him!
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
He who walketh uprightly shall be safe; But he who 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 who tilleth his land shall have bread enough; And he that followeth after worthless 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 go unpunished.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
To have respect to persons is not good; Since for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
He who hath an evil eye hasteth after wealth, And considereth not that poverty will come upon him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
He who rebuketh a man shall afterwards find favor More than he who flattereth with his tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
Whoso stealeth from his father or his mother, And saith, “It is no transgression,” The same is the companion of a robber.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
He who is of a proud heart stirreth up strife; But he that trusteth in the LORD shall be rich.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
He who trusteth in his own understanding is a fool; But he who walketh wisely shall be delivered.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
He who giveth to the poor shall not want; 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 are exalted, men hide themselves; But, when they perish, the righteous increase.
