Mithali 16
1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart from evil.
7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.
When the Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a wise man will appease it.
15 Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.
In the light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
32 Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
