Mithali 21
1 Moyo wa mfalme uko katika mkono wa Bwana; huuongoza kama mkondo wa maji, popote apendapo.
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
2 Njia zote za mwanadamu huonekana sawa kwake, bali Bwana huupima moyo.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 Kufanya yaliyo sawa na haki inakubalika zaidi kwa Bwana kuliko dhabihu.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 Macho ya kudharau na moyo wa kiburi, ambavyo ni taa ya waovu, vyote ni dhambi!
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the 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 industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 Mali iliyopatikana kwa ulimi wa uongo ni mvuke upitao upesi na mtego wa kufisha.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 Jeuri ya waovu itawaburuta mbali, kwa kuwa wanakataa kufanya yaliyo sawa.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 Njia ya mwenye hatia ni ya upotovu, bali tabia ya mtu asiye na hatia ni nyofu.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 Ni afadhali kuishi pembeni mwa paa la nyumba, kuliko kuishi nyumba moja na mke mgomvi.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
10 Mtu mwovu hutamani sana ubaya, jirani yake hapati huruma kutoka kwake.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 Wakati mwenye mzaha ameadhibiwa, mjinga hupata hekima; wakati mtu mwenye hekima afundishwapo, hupata maarifa.
When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 Mwenye Haki huyajua yanayotendeka katika nyumba za waovu, naye atawaangamiza waovu.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 Mtu akiziba masikio asisikie kilio cha maskini, yeye pia atalia, wala hatajibiwa.
He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
14 Zawadi itolewayo kwa siri hutuliza hasira na rushwa iliyofichwa kwenye nguo hutuliza ghadhabu kali.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 Wakati haki imetendeka, huleta furaha kwa wenye haki, bali kitisho kwa watenda mabaya.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 Mtu anayepotea kutoka mapito ya ufahamu, hupumzika katika kundi la waliokufa.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 Mtu apendaye anasa atakuwa maskini, yeyote apendaye mvinyo na mafuta kamwe hatakuwa tajiri.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 Waovu huwa fidia kwa ajili ya wenye haki, nao wasio waaminifu kwa ajili ya wanyofu.
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 Ni afadhali kuishi jangwani kuliko kuishi na mke mgomvi na mkorofi.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 Katika nyumba ya mwenye hekima kuna akiba ya vyakula vizuri na mafuta, lakini mtu mpumbavu hutafuna vyote alivyo navyo.
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 Yeye afuatiaye haki na upendo hupata uzima, mafanikio na heshima.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 Mtu mwenye hekima huushambulia mji wa wenye nguvu, na kuangusha ngome wanazozitegemea.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Yeye alindaye kinywa chake na ulimi wake hujilinda na maafa.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 Mtu mwenye kiburi na majivuno, “Mdhihaki” ndilo jina lake; hutenda mambo kwa kiburi kilichozidi.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 Kutamani sana kwa mvivu kutakuwa kifo chake, kwa sababu mikono yake haitaki kufanya kazi.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 Mchana kutwa hutamani zaidi, lakini mnyofu hutoa pasipo kuzuia.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 Dhabihu ya mtu mwovu ni chukizo, si zaidi sana itolewapo kwa nia mbaya!
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 Shahidi wa uongo ataangamia, bali maneno ya mwenye kusikia yatadumu.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 Mtu mwovu ana uso wa ushupavu, bali mtu mnyofu huzifikiria njia zake.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 Hakuna hekima, wala akili, wala mpango unaoweza kufaulu dhidi ya Bwana.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
31 Farasi huandaliwa kwa ajili ya siku ya vita, bali ushindi huwa kwa Bwana.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
