Mithali 16
1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be unpunished.
6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
Through kindness and truth, iniquity is expiated; And, through the fear of the LORD, men depart 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 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 revenues without right.
9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaketh right things.
14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
The wrath of a king is messengers 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.
In the light of the king's countenance is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing the latter rain.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
Pride goeth 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.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to share the spoil with the proud.
20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
He who giveth heed to the word shall find good; And he who trusteth in the LORD, happy is he!
21 Wenye hekima moyoni huitwa wenye ufahamu, na maneno ya kupendeza huchochea mafundisho.
The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement of fools is their folly.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
The heart of the wise man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health to the bones.
25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There is a way that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to death.
26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning fire.
28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
A deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which is not good.
30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
He who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way 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 the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.
The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
