< Mithali 28 >
1 Waovu hukimbia wakati hakuna mtu anayewafukuza, bali wale watendao haki ni thabiti kama simba kijana.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young 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 transgression of a land, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, it will last a long time.
3 Mtu masikini mwenye kukandamiza watu wengine masikini ni kama mvua inayopiga ambayo haisazi chakula.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Wale wanaokataa sheria huwatukuza watu waovu, bali wale wenye kuitunza sheria hupigana dhidi yao.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Watu wabaya hawafahamu haki, bali wale wanaomtafuta Yehova wanafahamu kila kitu.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Ni bora mtu masikini ambaye anatembea katika uadilifu, kuliko mtu tajiri ambaye ni mdanganyifu katika njia zake.
It is better for a poor person who walks in his integrity, than for a rich person who is crooked in his ways.
7 Yeye anayetunza sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali mwenye ushirika na walafi humwaibisha baba yake.
He who keeps the law is a son who has understanding, but one 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.
The one who makes his fortune by charging too much interest gathers his wealth for another who will have pity on poor people.
9 Kama mtu atageuzia mbali sikio lake kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 Yeye anayempotosha mwenye uadilifu katika njia ya uovu ataangukia kwenye shimo lake mwenyewe, bali wakamilifu watapata urithi mwema.
Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a good inheritance.
11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu masikini mwenye ufahamu atamtafuta.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find 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 arise, people are sought out.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali mwenye kutubu na kuziacha ataonyeshwa rehema.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 Anafuraha ambaye huishi kwa unyenyekevu, bali anayeufanya moyo wake ataanguka katika taabu.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Kama simba anayeunguruma au dubu anayeshabulia ni kama mtawala mwovu juu ya watu masikini.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 Mtawala anayekosa ufahamu ni mkandamizaji katili, bali mwenye kuchukia aibu atadumu katika siku zake.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
17 Kama mtu anahatia kwa sababu amemwaga damu ya mtu, atakuwa mkimbizi hadi kifo na hakuna atakayemsaidia.
If a man is guilty because he has shed someone's blood, he will be a fugitive until death and no one will help him.
18 Mwenye kuenenda kwa ukaminifu atakuwa salama, bali mwenye njia ya udanganyifu ataanguka ghafla.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Anayefanya kazi kwenye shamba lake atapata chakula kingi, bali afuataye shughuli za upuuzi atapata umasikini mkubwa.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atapata baraka nyingi bali apataye utajiri wa haraka hawezi kukosa adhabu.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 Siyo vema kuonyesha upendeleo, lakini kwa kipande cha mkate mtu atafanya ubaya.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 Mtu mchoyo huharakisha kwenye utajiri, lakini hajui ni umasikini gani utakuja juu yake.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Anayemkaripia mtu baadaye atapata fadhila zaidi kutoka kwake kuliko mwenye kumsifia sana kwa ulimi wake.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 Yule anayemwibia baba yake na mama yake na kusema, “Hiyo siyo dhambi,” ni mshirika wa mwenye kuharibu.
Whoever robs his father and his mother and says, “That is no sin,” he is the companion of the one who destroys.
25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea mafarakano, bali anayemtumaini Yehova atafanikiwa.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Yule anayeutumaini moyo wake mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali anayekwenda kwa hekima atajilinda mbali na hatari.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Mwenye kuwapa masikini hatapungukiwa kitu, bali anayewafumbia macho atapokea laana nyingi.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 Watu waovu wanapoinuka, watu hujificha wenyewe, lakini watu waovu wataangamia, wale watendao haki wataongezeka.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.