Mithali 29
1 Mtu aliyepokea makaripio mengi lakini anashupaza shingo yake atavunjika ndani ya muda mfupi na hata pona.
He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 Watenda mema wanapoongezeka, watu wanafurahi, bali wakati mtu mwovu anapotawala, watu huugua.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Mwenye kupenda hekima baba yake anafurahi, bali anayeshikamana na makahaba huuharibu utajiri wake.
Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.
4 Mfalme huimarisha nchi kwa haki, bali mwenye kudai rushwa huirarua.
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 Mtu anayejipendekeza kwa jirani yake anatandaza wavu kwenye miguu yake.
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 Mtu mbaya hunaswa kwenye mtego wa dhambi yake mwenyewe, bali yeye atendaye haki huimba na kufurahi.
In the transgression of an evil man [there is] a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 Atendaye haki hutetea madai ya masikini; mtu mwovu hafahamu maarifa kama hayo.
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: [but] the wicked regardeth not to know [it].
8 Mwenye dhihaka huutia moto mji, bali wale wenye busara huigeuza ghadhabu.
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath.
9 Mtu mwenye busara anapojadiliana na mpumbavu, hughadhabika na kucheka, hakutakuwa na utulivu.
[If] a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, [there is] no rest.
10 Mkatili humchukia mwenye ukamilifu na hutafuta maisha ya mwenye haki.
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 Mpumabavu huonyesha hasira yake, bali mtu mwenye busara huishikilia na kujituliza mwenyewe.
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 Kama matawala atazinagatia uongo, maafisa wake wote watakuwa waovu.
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.
13 Mtu masikini na mkandamizaji wanafanana, maana Yehova huyapa nuru macho yao wote.
The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 Kama mfalme atamhukumu masikini kwa uaminifu, kiti chake cha enzi kitaimarishwa milele.
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 Fimbo na maonyo huleta hekima, bali mtoto huru mbali na makaripio humwaibisha mama yake.
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame.
16 Watu waovu wanapotawala, uovu huongezeka, bali wenye kutenda haki wataona anguko la watu waovu.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Mwadibishe mwanao naye atakupa pumziko; ataleta furaha katika maisha yako.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Pasipo na maono ya kinabii watu huenda bila utaratibu, bali mwenye kuitunza sheria amebarikiwa.
Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.
19 Mtumwa hawezi kurekebishwa kwa maneno, maana ingawa anaelewa, hakuna mwitikio.
A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Je unamwona mtu mwenye haraka katika maneno yake? Kuna matumaini zaidi kwa mpumbavu kuliko kwake.
Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
21 Mwenye kumdekeza mtumwa wake tangu ujana, mwisho wake itakuwa taabu.
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become [his] son at the length.
22 Mtu mwenye hasira huchochea ugomvi na bwana mwenye hasira sana hutenda dhambi nyingi.
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 Kiburi cha mtu humshusha chini, bali mwenye roho ya unyenyekevu atapewa heshima.
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Anayeshirikiana na mwizi huyachukia maisha yake mwenyewe; husikia laana na wala hasemi chochote.
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth [it] not.
25 Kumwogopa binadamu ni mtego, bali mwenye kumtumaini Yehova atalindwa.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Wengi huutafuta uso wa mtawala, bali kutoka kwa Yehova huja haki kwa ajili yake.
Many seek the ruler’s favour; but [every] man’s judgment [cometh] from the LORD.
27 Mtu dhalimu ni chukizo kwa wenye kutenda haki, bali mwenye njia ya haki ni chukizo kwa watu waovu.
An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.
