Mithali 16
1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8 Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32 Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
