< Proverbs 16 >
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the motives.
Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.
8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
10 Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
11 Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
12 It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
15 In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.
20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.
Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
26 The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.