Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
24 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
