Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
