Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: 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 the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage 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 every one that is hasty hasteth 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 vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
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 in a house in common with a contentious woman.
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 thoughtless is made 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 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing 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 shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
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 strong wrath.
Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
17 He that loveth pleasure 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 the faithless cometh 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 fretful woman.
Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; 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, prosperity, and honour.
Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
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 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
26 There is that 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 an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
