Proverbs 28

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

1 Mtu mwovu hukimbia ingawa hakuna yeyote anayemfukuza, bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.

2 A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

2 Wakati nchi inapokuwa na uasi, inakuwa na viongozi wengi, bali mwenye ufahamu na maarifa hudumisha utaratibu.

3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

3 Mtu maskini amwoneaye yeye aliye maskini zaidi ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza mazao.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

4 Wale waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu, bali wale waishikao sheria huwapinga.

5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

5 Watu wabaya hawaelewi haki, bali wale wamtafutao Bwana wanaielewa kikamilifu.

6 Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

6 Afadhali maskini ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama kuliko tajiri ambaye njia zake ni potovu.

7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

7 Yeye ashikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye ufahamu, bali rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha baba yake.

8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

8 Yeye aongezaye utajiri wake kwa riba kubwa mno hukusanya kwa ajili ya mwingine, ambaye atawahurumia maskini.

9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

9 Kama mtu yeyote akikataa kusikia sheria, hata maombi yake ni chukizo.

10 He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

10 Yeye ambaye humwongoza mwenye haki kwenye mapito mabaya, ataanguka kwenye mtego wake mwenyewe, bali wasio na lawama watapokea urithi mwema.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

11 Mtu tajiri anaweza kuwa na hekima machoni pake mwenyewe, bali mtu maskini mwenye ufahamu atamfichua.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

12 Mwenye haki ashindapo, kuna furaha kubwa, bali waovu watawalapo, watu hujificha.

13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

13 Yeye afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa, bali yeyote aziungamaye na kuziacha hupata rehema.

14 Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

14 Amebarikiwa mtu ambaye siku zote humcha Bwana, bali yeye afanyaye moyo wake kuwa mgumu huangukia kwenye taabu.

15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

15 Kama simba angurumaye au dubu ashambuliaye, ndivyo alivyo mtu mwovu atawalaye wanyonge.

16 A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

16 Mtawala dhalimu hana akili, bali yeye achukiaye mapato ya udhalimu atafurahia maisha marefu.

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

17 Mtu mwenye kusumbuliwa na hatia ya kuua atakuwa mtoro mpaka kufa; mtu yeyote na asimsaidie.

18 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

18 Yeye ambaye mwenendo wake hauna lawama hulindwa salama, bali yeye ambaye njia zake ni potovu ataanguka ghafula.

19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

19 Yeye alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele, bali yule afuataye mambo ya upuzi atakuwa na umaskini wa kumtosha.

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

20 Mtu mwaminifu atabarikiwa sana, bali yeye atamaniye kupata utajiri kwa haraka hataacha kuadhibiwa.

21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

21 Kuonyesha upendeleo si vizuri, hata hivyo mtu atafanya kosa kwa kipande cha mkate.

22 A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

22 Mtu mchoyo ana tamaa ya kupata utajiri, naye hana habari kuwa umaskini unamngojea.

23 He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

23 Yeye amkemeaye mtu mwishoni hupata kibali zaidi, kuliko mwenye maneno ya kusifu isivyostahili.

24 He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

24 Yeye amwibiaye babaye au mamaye na kusema, “Si kosa,” yeye ni mwenzi wa yule aharibuye.

25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

25 Mtu mwenye tamaa huchochea fitina, bali yule amtegemeaye Bwana atafanikiwa.

26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

26 Yeye ajitumainiaye mwenyewe ni mpumbavu, bali yeye atembeaye katika hekima hulindwa salama.

27 Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

27 Yeye ampaye maskini hatapungukiwa na kitu chochote, bali yeye awafumbiaye maskini macho hupata laana nyingi.

28 When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

28 Wakati waovu watawalapo, watu huenda mafichoni, bali waovu wanapoangamia, wenye haki hufanikiwa.