< Mithali 16 >
1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.
8 Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.
9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
[There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
15 Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favor with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver.
17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
19 Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.
Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.
20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
[He who is] skillful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
21 Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.
[Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. ()
26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
A man who labors, labors for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
Old age is a crown of honor, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
32 Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.
A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.
All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.