Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Mipango ya mwenye bidii huelekeza kwenye faida, kama vile kwa hakika pupa huelekeza kwenye umaskini.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
