1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth:
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Waovu hukimbia wasipofuatiwa na mtu; Bali wenye haki ni wajasiri kama simba.
2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof:
But by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
Kwa sababu ya maasi ya nchi wakuu wake huwa wengi; Bali kwa wenye ufahamu na maarifa hali ya nchi hudumishwa
3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor
Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Mtu mhitaji awaoneaye maskini, Ni kama mvua ya dhoruba isiyosaza chakula.
4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked:
But such as keep the law contend with them.
Wao waiachao sheria huwasifu waovu; Bali wao waishikao hushindana nao.
5 Evil men understand not judgment:
But they that seek the LORD understand all things .
Watu wabaya hawaelewi na hukumu; Bali wamtafutao Bwana huelewa na yote.
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,
Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
Afadhali maskini aendaye katika unyofu wake, Kuliko mpotofu wa njia angawa ni tajiri.
7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son:
But he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Yeye aishikaye sheria ni mwana mwenye hekima; Bali aliye rafiki wa walafi humwaibisha babaye.
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance,
He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Yeye azidishaye mali yake kwa riba na faida, Humkusanyia mtu awahurumiaye maskini.
9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer shall be abomination.
Yeye aligeuzaye sikio lake asiisikie sheria, Hata sala yake ni chukizo.
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way,
He shall fall himself into his own pit:
But the upright shall have good things in possession.
Kila mtu awapotezaye wenye haki katika njia mbaya, Ataanguka katika rima lake mwenyewe; Bali wakamilifu watarithi mema.
11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Mtu tajiri ana hekima machoni pake mwenyewe; Bali maskini mwenye ufahamu humchunguza sana.
12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:
But when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
Wenye haki washindapo, uko utukufu mwingi; Bali waovu waondokapo, watu hujificha.
13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Afichaye dhambi zake hatafanikiwa; Bali yeye aziungamaye na kuziacha atapata rehema.
14 Happy is the man that feareth alway:
But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Mwanadamu mwenye kicho yu heri sikuzote; Bali mshupavu wa moyo ataangukia madhara.
15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear;
So is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Kama simba angurumaye, na dubu mwenye njaa; Ndivyo alivyo mtu mbaya awatawalaye maskini.
16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor:
But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Mkuu aliyepungukiwa na akili huwaonea watu sana; Bali achukiaye kutamani ataongeza siku zake.
17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person
Shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
Aliyelemewa na damu ya mtu Atalikimbilia shimo; wala mtu asimzuie.
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved:
But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Aendaye kwa unyofu ataokolewa; Bali mkaidi wa njia zake ataanguka mara.
19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:
But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
Alimaye shamba lake atakuwa na chakula tele; Bali afuataye mambo ya upuzi atapata umaskini wa kumtosha.
20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings:
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Mtu mwaminifu atakuwa na baraka tele; Lakini afanyaye haraka kuwa tajiri hakosi ataadhibiwa.
21 To have respect of persons is not good:
For for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Kupendelea watu si kwema; Wala mtu kuasi kwa ajili ya kipande cha mkate.
22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye,
And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Mwenye husuda afanya haraka kuwa tajiri; Wala haufikiri uhitaji utakaomjilia.
23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour
Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Amkemeaye mwenzake hatimaye atapata kibali; Zaidi ya mtu ajipendekezaye kwa ulimi wake.
24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression;
The same is the companion of a destroyer.
Aibaye mali ya babaye au mamaye, na kusema, Si kosa; Mwana huyo ni rafiki wa mtu mharibifu.
25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:
But he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Mwenye nafsi ya kutamani huchochea fitina; Bali amtumainiye Bwana atawandishwa.
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Mwenye kujitumainia moyo wake ni mjinga; Bali yeye aendaye kwa busara ataokolewa.
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Mwenye kuwagawia maskini hatahitaji kitu; Bali afichaye macho yake atakuwa na laana nyingi.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
Wasio haki wainukapo, wanadamu hujificha; Bali waangamiapo, wenye haki huongezeka.
