Proverbs 21
1 [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
2 Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
5 The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
7 The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, 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 lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, 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 observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
14 A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
15 It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
17 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
18 A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
19 Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
20 Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
22 A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
27 The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
28 A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
31 The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
