Mithali 28
1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
The wicked people run away when no one chases them, but righteous people are as bold as a young lion.
2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.
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 maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.
A poor person who oppresses other poor people is like a beating rain that leaves no food.
4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.
Those who forsake the law praise wicked people, but those who keep the law fight against them.
5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek Yahweh understand everything.
6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.
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 ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa 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 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.
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 yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea 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 na hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu maskini mwenye ufahamu atamfichua.
The rich person may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor person who has understanding will find him out.
12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked arise, people are sought out.
13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.
The one who hides his sins will not prosper, but the one who confesses them and forsakes them will be shown mercy.
14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.
The one who always lives with reverence is blessed, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into trouble.
15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days.
17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.
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 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.
Whoever walks with integrity will be kept safe, but the one whose way is crooked will suddenly fall.
19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.
A faithful man will have great blessings, but the one who gets rich quickly will not go unpunished.
21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.
It is not good to show partiality, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.
A stingy man hurries after riches, but he does not know that poverty will come upon him.
23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.
Whoever disciplines someone, afterward will find more favor from him than from the one who flatters him with his tongue.
24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.
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 fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.
A greedy man stirs up conflict, but the one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.
One who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks in wisdom will keep away from danger.
27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.
The one who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but whoever closes his eyes to them will receive many curses.
28 Wakati waovu watawalapo, watu huenda mafichoni, bali waovu wanapoangamia, wenye haki hufanikiwa.
When the wicked arise, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous increase.
