Mithali 16
1 Mipango ya moyoni ni ya mwanadamu, bali jibu la ulimi hutoka kwa Bwana.
To man, belong the preparations of the heart, but, from Yahweh, cometh the answer of the tongue.
2 Njia zote za mtu huonekana safi machoni pake mwenyewe, bali makusudi hupimwa na Bwana.
All the ways of a man, [may be] pure in his own eyes, but, he that testeth spirits, is Yahweh.
3 Mkabidhi Bwana lolote ufanyalo, nayo mipango yako itafanikiwa.
Roll, upon Yahweh, thy doings, that thy plans, may be established.
4 Bwana hufanya kila kitu kwa kusudi lake mwenyewe; hata waovu kwa siku ya maangamizi.
Everything, hath Yahweh made for its own purpose, yea, even the lawless one, for the day of calamity.
5 Bwana huwachukia sana wote wenye kiburi cha moyo. Uwe na hakika kwa hili: Hawataepuka kuadhibiwa.
An abomination to Yahweh, is every one who is haughty in heart, hand to hand, he shall not be held innocent.
6 Kwa upendo na uaminifu uovu huondolewa; kwa kumcha Bwana mtu hujiepusha na ubaya.
By lovingkindness and fidelity, shall iniquity be covered, and, in the revering of Yahweh, is a turning away from wrong.
7 Njia za mtu zinapompendeza Bwana, huwafanya hata adui zake waishi naye kwa amani.
When, acceptable to Yahweh, are the ways of a man, even his enemies, doth he cause to make peace with him.
8 Afadhali kitu kidogo pamoja na haki kuliko mapato mengi pamoja na udhalimu.
Better a little with righteousness, than large revenues, without justice.
9 Moyo wa mtu huifikiri njia yake, bali Bwana huelekeza hatua zake.
A man’s heart, deviseth his way, but, Yahweh, directeth his steps.
10 Midomo ya mfalme huzungumza kwa hekima ya kiungu, wala kinywa chake hakipotoshi haki.
An oracle, is on the lips of a king, in giving sentence, his mouth must not be unfaithful.
11 Vipimo na mizani za halali hutoka kwa Bwana; mawe yote ya kupimia yaliyo katika mfuko ameyafanya yeye.
The balance and scales of justice, belong to Yahweh, and, his handiwork, are all the weights of the bag.
12 Wafalme huchukia sana kutenda maovu, kwa maana kiti cha ufalme hufanywa imara kwa njia ya haki.
The abomination of kings, is to work lawlessness, for, by righteousness, is established a throne.
13 Wafalme hufurahia midomo ya uaminifu; humthamini mtu asemaye kweli.
The delight of kings, are lips of righteousness, —and, the words of uprightness, he loveth.
14 Ghadhabu ya mfalme ni mjumbe wa mauti, bali mtu mwenye hekima ataituliza.
The wrath of a king, [meaneth] messengers of death, but, a man who is wise, will appease it.
15 Uso wa mfalme ungʼaapo, inamaanisha uhai; upendeleo wake ni kama wingu la mvua wakati wa vuli.
In the light of a king’s countenance, is life, and, his good-pleasure, is like the cloud of harvest-rain.
16 Ni bora kiasi gani kupata hekima kuliko dhahabu, kuchagua ufahamu kuliko fedha!
To acquire wisdom, how much better than gold! and, to get hold of understanding, more choice than silver!
17 Njia kuu ya wanyofu huepuka ubaya; yeye aichungaye njia yake, huchunga maisha yake.
The highway of the upright, is to avoid evil, He preserveth his soul, who guardeth his way.
18 Kiburi hutangulia maangamizi, roho ya majivuno hutangulia maanguko.
Before grievous injury, pride! and, before a fall, haughtiness of spirit!
19 Ni afadhali kuwa mnyenyekevu katika roho miongoni mwa walioonewa kuliko kugawana nyara pamoja na wenye kiburi.
Better is lowliness of spirit, with the patient, than a portion of spoil, with the proud.
20 Yeyote anayekubali mafundisho hustawi, tena amebarikiwa yeye anayemtumaini Bwana.
He that showeth discretion concerning a matter, shall find good, and, he that trusteth in Yahweh, how 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 lips, increaseth persuasiveness.
22 Ufahamu ni chemchemi ya uzima kwa wale walio nao, bali upumbavu huleta adhabu kwa wapumbavu.
A well-spring of life, is discretion to its owner, but, the correction of the foolish, is folly.
23 Moyo wa mtu mwenye hekima huongoza kinywa chake, na midomo yake huchochea mafundisho.
The heart of the wise, giveth discretion to his mouth, and, upon his lips, increaseth persuasiveness.
24 Maneno ya kupendeza ni kama sega la asali, ni matamu kwa nafsi na uponyaji kwenye mifupa.
A comb of honey, are pleasant words, sweet to the taste and healing to the bone.
25 Iko njia ionekanayo kuwa sawa kwa mtu, bali mwisho wake huelekeza mautini.
There is a way that enticeth a man, but, at the latter end thereof, are the ways of death.
26 Shauku ya mfanyakazi humhimiza kufanya kazi; njaa yake humsukuma aendelee.
The appetite of the toiler, hath toiled for him, for his mouth, hath urged him on.
27 Mtu mbaya kabisa hupanga mabaya, maneno yake ni kama moto uunguzao.
An abandoned man, diggeth up mischief, —and, upon his lips, as it were a fire is scorching.
28 Mtu mpotovu huchochea ugomvi, nayo maongezi ya upuzi hutenganisha marafiki wa karibu.
A perverse man, sendeth forth strife, and, a tattler, separateth intimate friends.
29 Mtu mkali humvuta jirani yake na kumwongoza katika mapito yale mabaya.
A ruthless man, enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way, not good.
30 Yeye akonyezaye kwa jicho lake anapanga upotovu; naye akazaye midomo yake amenuia mabaya.
Closing his eyes, to devise perverse things, biting his lips, he hath plotted mischief.
31 Mvi ni taji ya utukufu; hupatikana kwa maisha ya uadilifu.
A crown of adorning, is a hoary head, in the way of righteousness, it should be found.
32 Ni afadhali mtu mstahimilivu kuliko shujaa, mtu anayeitawala hasira yake kuliko yule autekaye mji.
Better he that is slow to anger, than a hero, and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that captureth a city.
33 Kura hupigwa kwa siri, lakini kila uamuzi wake hutoka kwa Bwana.
Into the lap, is cast the lot, but, from Yahweh, is its every decision.
