Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever 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 ponders the hearts.
Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 plenty; 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
8 The way of man is fraudulent 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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
17 He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.
Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
26 He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?
Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly.
Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs 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 safety is of the LORD.
Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
